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Wenchuan

Wenchuan (汶川) is a small county in Sichuan’s Aba Tibetan-Qiang Autonomous Prefecture, which straddles the confluence of the Min and Zagunao Rivers. Wenchuan county is one of only 4 counties that are the main location of China’s Qiang (羌) ethnic group – the others being Lixian, Maoxian and Beichuan.

Understand
Being on the main route from Chengdu to Jiuzhaigou National Park, Wenchuan used to be a ‘passing through’ place where tourist groups stop off for meals or visit the traditional Qiang village of Taoping (桃坪) in neighbouring Lixian county. However, the Qiang area has become a destination in its own right, being much more accessible from Chengdu for a long week-end, and will become more so once the new road from Chengdu is completed. It is less crowded than the more well-known destinations in Ngawa Prefecture and has some good ‘off-the-beaten-track’ areas to explore.

History
The Qiang people have traditionally lived between the Tibetans to the north and the Han to the south and for centuries Wenchuan has been a place where ethnic groups overlap. The remains of defensive walls from the Three Kingdoms period (220-265 AD) and from the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) are still visible on the hills above the town. Further back in the mists of history, legend has it that Yu the Great, one of China’s famous ancestors, was born in this area, and a temple in his honour is situated near the Three Kingdoms wall remains. Other evidence of inter-ethnic encounters are the striking watchtowers and fortress-like style of some of the local Qiang villages, built high up on the mountain tops, e.g. the three towers of Buwa village which can be seen high above Wenchuan.

Get in
Wenchuan is easily accessible by bus from Chengdu. Buses coming down from Jiuzhaigou/Songpan and from Hongyuan/Ma’erkang to Chengdu also stop in Wenchuan. All Chengdu buses depart from/arrive in Chadianzi bus station in the west of Chengdu. A new road, which bypasses Dujiangyan, has been completed since the May 2008 earthquake and on a good day the journey between Chengdu and Wenchuan is only 2½ hours. The ticket price is about ¥45 and there are several buses a day. There are also buses going between Wenchuan and the main bus station in Dujiangyan. The main Wenchuan bus station has been rebuilt in Qipangou just south of Wenchuan. When you arrive at the bus station you can take a public bus into Wenchuan for ¥1, which only takes about 5–10 minutes, or there are minivans taking travelers further on to Maoxian or Lixian.

Get around
Unless you have your own vehicle, you will need to hire taxis or minivans for local travel, although there are local walks directly out from Wenchuan. Taxis out to the tourist villages of Taoping and Luobozhai should be about ¥50~¥60. Minivans can be hired for around the same price unless you find one with locals already heading to your destination, in which case the price should be about ¥10~¥15 per person. To find a seat in a minivan, just stand on the main street, east of the 3-way intersection, across from the #1 elementary school (汶川县第一小学), and shout your destination to the passing vans. If they are heading your way, they will stop.

See
The Qiang villages and natural scenery are the biggest draws of the area. Although the earthquake did much damage it is now possible to visit the area and tourism is slowly picking up.

Luobozhai village (萝卜寨), which is about 30 minutes by hired van or taxi from Wenchuan towards Songpan/Jiuzhigou (c. ¥60), is in a marvellous location on a small plateau near the top of a mountain. It has a stunning view of the main Min River valley. The original village was badly damaged in the earthquake and whilst some are being rebuilt, the remainder are a testimony to how devastating the quake was. A new section of Luobozhai has been built above the old site. The road up to Luobozhai is good and the view is still great! Taoping village (桃坪) is in Lixian rather than Wenchuan county, but is roughly the same distance as Luobozhai, going north on the Ma'erkang/Hongyuan road, and well worth a visit. It has 3 towers and is very fortress-like with an inner maze of winding alleyways and an underground water system which sustained them in times of siege. Many tourists come in tour groups which just stop for an hour, ‘do the villages’ and then move on. This means the countryside beyond the villages is often quiet and uncrowded, with locals just going about their daily work in the fields. Although adjacent new guest houses were irretrievably damaged in the quake, a whole new area of tourist accommodation has since been built and the traditional village has survived remarkably well and is still open for tourists. This village charges a ¥60 entrance fee, and once inside you will be asked to pay additional fees to look inside some buildings.

Yanmen village and beauty spot is about 15 minutes by taxi/minivan from Wenchuan on the road north to Songpan/Jiuzhaigou. This has tea houses, good walks and places to picnic. There are now yellow public buses that do this route from Wenchuan too.

Qi Pan Gou This village, south of Wenchuan on the Chengdu road, is where the main Wenchuan bus station is now located. Facing the direction of Wenchuan, there is an unsurfaced road off to the right which follows a stream up to a good walking area. The yellow bus from Wenchuan to Qipangou village is just ¥1.

Qiangfeng Village. Further south and across a plank suspension bridge on the right of the main Chengdu road you can walk up to the Qiang village of Qiangfeng. There were plans to develop this as a tourist village but they never really took off so it is less touristy than Taoping and Luobozhai.

Buwa Village high up on the mountains with its three watchtowers is visible from the main street of Wenchuan. If you can make it to Buwa, it's worth going further up to the plateau area at the top.

Longxi Valley is up a right turn on the same road out to Taoping. This is an area where the Qiang language is spoken. A 25-minute drive up the valley takes you to Ba Duo Zhai village and beyond this is extensive unspoilt countryside and a small mountain lake. Since the quake this area has been chosen by Wenchuan county as 'The Valley of the Qiang people' and it is being developed to cater for visitors. It is an area of natural beauty and it may become a good trekking opportunity with a 3- to 4-day walk through to Maoxian. A few campers have already discovered the area. In Longxi's administrative center, about 10 minutes by vehicle after you have taken the right turn off the main Wenchuan road, there is now a well-presented Qiang cultural exhibition center. The first village on the left as one enters the valley is Dongmenwai (meaning 'outside the eastern gate,'where the Rev Thomas Torrance established a small chapel in the 1930s. Since the quake, Dongmenwai has become more of a tourist destination than previously.

Do
Wenchuan is becoming a more tourist-orientated town. There are plenty of restaurants and shops, a couple of vegetable markets, and a pleasant small-town atmosphere. Since the 2008 earthquake a square has been built by the river where tourists can join locals doing Qiang and Tibetan dancing most evenings, and it is a comfortable town just to wander around. It is a good center to stay in and then go out to the neighbouring villages and valleys. If you stay in Taoping, they sometimes have traditional Qiang dancing and singing in the evenings, with a bonfire, and – if visitors order it – a goat-roast. This is more frequent at week-ends and on national or Qiang holidays.

The mountains are steep around Wenchuan, with narrow valleys and rushing streams. These valleys are not always easily visible from the main road but some of them are well worth exploring. Because Taoping gets much of the tourist traffic, many other villages are definitely still off the beaten track. Longxi (龙溪) valley is about 20 minutes by minivan or taxi from Wenchuan and is a right turn across a narrow bridge a few kilometers before Taoping. It is an attractive valley and if you make the 3 hour trek along the Longxi road to the village of A’er, the landscape changes from steep mountain to open walking country and virgin forest. One or two small groups of intrepid explorers have camped here.

Behind the New International Travel hotel there is a road leading up the mountainside to a now closed memorial to Yu the Great. Despite the memorial being closed, this is a pleasant walk up the hillside and from the top (less than an hour's walk) there is a good view down over the town and of the surrounding mountains.

Buy
The China Construction Bank, approximately across the street from the museum/library, has ATMs that accept foreign credit and debit cards.

Qiang handicrafts and specialty foods are on sale in the town and in the more tourist-orientated local villages (predominantly Taoping and Luobozhai). It’s definitely worth bargaining if you want a fair price – although an unfair price will help the locals more. The region is famous for its fruit and, in season, has apples, pears, plums, peaches, walnuts, and cherries.

Eat
The Qiang are famous for collecting wild vegetables and also for their cured ham (腊肉) so it’s well worth having a Qiang meal – very healthy and full of flavor. Their staple food used to be maize although rice has largely replaced this in many areas. Another simple but good traditional food is small potatoes cooked in their skins and dipped in a chilli and salt mix. At the junction of the two main shopping streets (opposite Sichuan Rural Credit Union) there is a tiny restaurant selling 'ciba' - Qiang potato dumplings in a wonderful soup. Look for their yellow sign that says 洋芋糍粑.

Drink
The Qiang have a traditional mild alcohol called ‘za jiu’ (咂酒) or ‘sucking wine’. At festivals this is drunk through communal long bamboo straws from a single, large jar. However, it can also be requested at meals as a bottled drink. Other standard drinks are generally available (water, Coke, etc). Chinese tea is often served with meals.

Sleep
There are at least five hotels in Wenchuan.

1. The Wenchuan Hotel (汶川大酒店) is the newest and most modern. It is at the far northeastern end of the main street, just beyond the new big gymnasium and facing a park. Rack rates begin at ¥888, but the real rate will most likely be one-third to one-half of this.

2. The International Travel Hotel: this is at the southern end of Wenchuan, past the big red museum as you walk away from the center of town. It is at a broad 3-way street junction. Twin rooms with shower and western toilet are about ¥240 (with breakfast).

3. The Kaiyi Hotel:go up the main shopping street and cross the river via the traffic bridge in the center of town, continue straight ahead and the Kaiyi Hotel is on the left at the T-junction. Twin rooms with shower and western toilet are around ¥240 (no breakfast).

4. The Anbang Hotel is just opposite the police station and not far from the Kaiyi Hotel. Access is through an archway off the main road (just past the only supermarket on this side of the river) and the reception and hotel tea house are on the right. It has twin rooms for c.180Y (no breakfast).

5. The Sang Ping Hotel: not far from the Kaiyi Hotel. Cross the river via the footbridge (just beyond the traffic bridge) and keep walking straight. The Sang Ping Hotel is on the left at the T-junction. Twin rooms with shower and squat toilet are around ¥100 (no breakfast). Pleasant local staff. Clean but smokers have damaged the carpets.

There are many guesthouses, located in most every residential building in Wenchuan. These usually run about ¥80, and may or may not have a private bathroom. Some also provide Internet (usually wired, often by means of an Ethernet cable coming in through the window). Look for words like "住宿", "旅馆", or "客栈" on signs around town. Do not expect any of them to speak English, but sign language should suffice.

In Taoping there is accommodation available in fairly basic but clean and comfortable guest rooms which are extensions to family homes. Prices may be around ¥80 for bed, breakfast and evening meal in the old village, and ¥100 in the new village. A good opportunity to experience Qiang cuisine - great ham and sausage and wild vegetables.

Go next
As mentioned above, the post-earthquake bus station is now 10 minutes south of Wenchuan in a small village called Qipangou. From Wenchuan take the yellow bus from the center of town for ¥1 to this bus station. From the bus station there are buses going north to Ma'erkang and Hongyuan or to Maoxian, Songpan and Jiuzhaigou and buses south to Dujiangyan and Chengdu. It is possible to hire a taxi or minivan for the journey but not much point as the buses are very convenient.

title: Wenchuan


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Wengen

Wengen is an Alpine resort in the Bernese Highlands of Switzerland. It's at above sea level, reached by cog railway and with no vehicle access, on the route up towards the Eiger and Jungfrau. Its permanent population is about 1300, which swells in summer to 5000 and in winter to 10,000.

Understand

 * The clouds rose from the opposite valley, curling up perpendicular precipices like the foam of the ocean of hell, during a spring tide -- it was white and sulphury, and immeasurably deep in appearance. - Byron visited Wengen in 1816, fleeing yet another major scandal in London

Wengen was traditionally an alpine farming village: it has summer pastures and lies on the drove trail to the higher meadows around Kleine Scheidegg. It was never a major mountain pass, as you could more easily reach Grindelwald via the valley, and the formidable trio of mountains just north are impassable. Byron, Shelley and Mendelssohn were early 19th century visitors, re-defining mountain scenery to a public that had seen it as desolate. Guest houses and hotels began to appear, but until 1890 you still had to hike up. Then the cog railway changed everything.

In the early 20th century Mürren and Wengen were pioneers of "downhill only!" - skiers could ride up on the train, with no more days spent lugging kit up the mountain just for a single ski run back to the village. Sir Henry Lunn and his son Arnold founded a ski tourism business, and lift systems and prepared trails were developed, along with a calendar of ski races both straight downhill and by slalom. The Wengen area has a long reliable snow season, and many Alpine hiking trails in summer.

The tourist info center is next to Männlichen cable car station in town centre and open daily 09:00-18:00.

Get in
For inter-city routes, travel via Interlaken, which has trains every 30 min from Bern.

Change at Interlaken Ost for the BOB train - the Berner Oberland-Bahn. Don't get off at Interlaken West, which is town centre.

You need to be in the front portion of the BOB train. This runs every 30 min and takes 20 min via Wilderswil and Zweilütschinen (where the rear portion detaches for Grindelwald) to Lauterbrunnen. There you change to the WAB train, the little Wengernalpbahn, for the scenic 13 min journey up the mountainside to Wengen, with the last connection leaving Interlaken at 23:00. These trains continue up to Kleine Scheidegg at the top of the pass. Change there for the train which burrows through the Jungfrau to the summit station of Jungfraujoch, and for the train descending to Grindelwald. Eurail passes get you a 25% discount on the BOB and WAB trains but are not in themselves valid for travel beyond Interlaken. A Swiss Travel Pass is valid to Lauterbrunnen, Grindelwald and Mürren and gets you 50% discount on the WAB trains.

is central in the village and has a staffed ticket office and baggage lockers.

Private cars are not permitted in Wengen, though service vehicles skitter about - it's not really "traffic-free". Visitors have to park at Lauterbrunnen or Interlaken, see those pages for details.

Get around
Wengen is compact so you walk. Some hotels have electric buggies for transfers.

Wengen at 1274 m is on a ledge above a U-shaped valley. There are limited hiking and skiing trails below it, but you can walk to Wengwald (1200 m) where the trains stop on the way up from Lauterbrunnen. East, a very steep slope ascends to a sharp ridge, with the peaks of Männlichen north, Tschuggen midway and Lauberhorn south, then the village of Kleine Scheidegg beneath the sheer sides of the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau. Skiing and hiking out of Wengen is mostly on the gentler east slope of that ridge.

is the quickest way to reach the slopes beyond the ridge. It starts from Wengen town centre and has 75-person gondolas running every 10 min or so. In summer you can pay an extra Fr. 5 to ride outside on the gondola roof, in case you weren't cold enough already. A cable car from Grindelwald also ascends to Männlichen.

Use the train to ride up from Wengen to Allmend (1493 m), Wengernalp (1473 m), (2061 m) and Eigergletscher (2320 m) at the top of the ski area. From there, another train plunges into the mountain to ascend to Jungfraujoch. This trip is very touristy in clear weather (and may be booked out) and pointless otherwise - see Kleine Scheidegg for description.

See below for the areas covered by the ski pass. Chairlifts and gondolas criss-cross the skiing areas and some are suitable for non-skiers and run in summer.

See and do

 * (3967 m / 13,015 ft), (4110 m / 13,480 ft) and  (4158 m / 13,642 ft) are the magnificent peaks towering over Wengen. You'll not regret paying for a room with a mountain view.

Summer

 * Hiking: lots of trails. Some good choices are:
 * Wengen to Männlichen, 4.6 km, 2 hr 30 min, medium difficulty. A nice quiet trek as the less energetic do it the other way round, riding the cable car up to Männlichen and walking down to Wengen.
 * Wengen to Wengernalp and Kleine Scheidegg, 6.9 km, 2 hr 45 min, medium difficulty. Great mountain views as you turn the corner at Wengernalp (which is on the railway, a bail-out option if the weather's closing in.) From Kleine Scheidegg you can continue down to Grindelwald.
 * The gentler trails are also open in winter, though you may have to share them with skiers, toboggans and bounding excitable dogs.

 * Swimming: The outside swimming pool is on Waldbort just above the main village. It has amazing views of the Jungfrau and glacier, and a friendly bar and cafe.

Winter

Skiing is the main draw for winter visitors. Wengen is not a standalone ski resort, but merely a node in what is officially branded as the Jungfrau Ski Region. Since Wengen lies at the lower reaches of the valley, the only two lifts actually in the village are meant for children and absolute beginners. Access to the "real" slopes requires taking either the train to Kleine Scheidegg or the gondola to Männlichen (see (Get around), from which you can ski (red/intermediate pistes required) or even toboggan all the way back down to Wengen. The season is from mid-Dec to mid-April: Kleine Scheidegg being the highest starts earlier, and Grindelwald as the lowest starts latest. The lifts run for a couple of weekends before main season, then daily. It gets a bit scratchy by late March.

There are a number of lift passes available, but if staying in Wengen the most suitable is the Grindelwald-Wengen pass. This grants access to all 27 lifts in the area covering 155 km, including Kleine Scheidegg, Grindelwald, and First the far side of Grindelwald, as well as all public transport. In 2021/22 an adult pass was Fr. 69 for one day, for six is Fr. 324. The Mürren-Schilthorn area is a separate pass, or you can buy a Jungfrau Pass for the combined areas. No pass is valid above Eigergletscher on the train up to Jungfraujoch, but you can buy an add-on ticket for Fr. 49 return.

Ski equipment can easily be rented in Wengen. Rental typically includes access to the shared storage lockers near the station, so you don't have to lug your gear back to your accommodation every day.

 * Night skiing is free on Wednesday and Saturday from 19:30. It's on the dinky little Figeler run by the cable-car station, suitable for small children.
 * Night skiing is free on Wednesday and Saturday from 19:30. It's on the dinky little Figeler run by the cable-car station, suitable for small children.
 * Night skiing is free on Wednesday and Saturday from 19:30. It's on the dinky little Figeler run by the cable-car station, suitable for small children.

The ice rink for skating and curling is in town centre by the TIC and Männlichen cable car. It's open-air, with artificial ice, open daily 10:00-18:00.

Events

 * Lauberhorn is the premier ski race, held in January. The scary-fast run is from the Lauberhorn summit at 2317 m, over 4.27 km (a one km descent) into Wengen. There's often an associated air show, and the event drews global media and 30,000 spectators. The next races are 13-15 Jan 2023.
 * Music Day is a weekend in June. The next has a youth band on Sat 4 June 2022 and brass bands on Sun 5.
 * Eiger Ultra: see Grindelwald for this 101 km ultra-marathon, held in July and passing through Wengen and Kleine Scheidegg.
 * Alpabzug is when the cows come home, clacking their cow-bells. These highlands still practise traditional transhumance farming, with herds and their minders moving up from the lowlands in spring, and leaving the heights to return to the valley as autumn closes in. There are no set dates, it depends on the weather and grazing, but mid-September is when you might encounter a cattle-drive descending through Wengen. Mind where you step.
 * Mendelssohn Musikwoche Wengen is a classical music week in August, with the next on 20-27 Aug 2022. Felix Mendelssohn (1809-1847) often drew inspiration from the Swiss Alps - already by age 14, he'd composed two symphonies after a family visit to the Bernese Oberland. His descendants brought many of his memorabilia back to this area when they fled Nazi Germany.

Buy
ATMs are clustered at the railway station, and there's no shortage of shops for hiking, climbing and skiing gear.

Eat
For a town of its size, Wengen has quite a few dining options. Out of season, many are closed or have limited hours (often dinner only); in season, book ahead, especially in the evenings.

Mid-range

 * Hotel Berghaus restaurant is open to non-residents, see Sleep. It serves dinner year-round daily 18:00-20:30, lunch is Sa Su in summer and daily in winter 11:00-13:30.
 * Hotel Berghaus restaurant is open to non-residents, see Sleep. It serves dinner year-round daily 18:00-20:30, lunch is Sa Su in summer and daily in winter 11:00-13:30.
 * Hotel Berghaus restaurant is open to non-residents, see Sleep. It serves dinner year-round daily 18:00-20:30, lunch is Sa Su in summer and daily in winter 11:00-13:30.
 * Hotel Berghaus restaurant is open to non-residents, see Sleep. It serves dinner year-round daily 18:00-20:30, lunch is Sa Su in summer and daily in winter 11:00-13:30.

Drink
Family-friendly Wengen is emphatically not a party town, so if you're looking for wild après ski nightlife, try Verbier instead. However, there are plenty of hotel restaurants that will serve you mug of Glühwein, as well as a few dedicated drinking holes.

 * Others nearby include On The Rocks, Crystal Bar and Schneebar Figeler. Hotel bars open to non-residents include Boutique Sens in the Regina and Bar Anonym in the Silberhorn.
 * Others nearby include On The Rocks, Crystal Bar and Schneebar Figeler. Hotel bars open to non-residents include Boutique Sens in the Regina and Bar Anonym in the Silberhorn.

Sleep
There's no such thing as budget accommodation in this pricey resort - no hostels or camp sites.

Wengen has many serviced apartments catering particularly to families and larger groups. Local companies Alpine Holiday Services and Wengen Apartments have a stranglehold on the vast majority of the inventory, and it's slightly cheaper to deal with them directly instead of going through the usual suspects like Airbnb. High season rates for a 4-person apartment start from Fr. 250/night. Most have a 5-night minimum stay, booking Sunday to Saturday.

Connect
As of Feb 2022, Wengen has 4G from Salt and Sunrise, which extends from the valley along the railway to Kleine Scheidegg but with many dead spots. You'll be lucky to get a signal from Swisscom. 5G has reached the valley but has not yet found its way up the slopes.

Go next

 * Go via Kleine Scheidegg for the train to Jungfraujoch, high up between the Jungfrau and the Mönch
 * Lauterbrunnen down in the valley is a short hike to Staubbach and Trümmelbach Falls.
 * Mürren is perched on a ledge on the opposite side of the valley. You can ride the cable car up through Birg to the top of the Schilthorn (2970 m), where the Piz Gloria restaurant continues to rotate in its kitsch 1960s splendour, and the Kanonenrohr is the notorious black-run descent. Ideally you'd arrive in a helicopter fitted with machine guns, as in On Her Majesty's Secret Service, and rake George Lazenby for his ludicrous depiction of 007 James Bond.

license: Creative Commons - Attribution Share-Alike - https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/

title: Wengen


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Wenshan (disambiguation)

There's more than one place called Wenshan:

China

 * Wenshan - an autonomous prefecture of the province of Yunnan

Taiwan

 * Taipei/Wenshan - a southern district of Taipei, in North (Taiwan)

title: Wenshan (disambiguation)


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Wentworth

There is more than one place called Wentworth:

Australia

 * Wentworth (New South Wales) - a town in southwestern New South Wales.

United States of America

 * Wentworth (New Hampshire) - a town in the state of New Hampshire.

title: Wentworth


text:
Wentworth (New Hampshire)

Wentworth is a town located in New Hampshire.

title: Wentworth (New Hampshire)


text:
Wentworth Falls

Wentworth Falls is a small town within the Blue Mountains World Heritage National Park in Australia. It lies immediately east of Leura and Katoomba, and is a little quieter than its neighbours. It still has good facilities, great walks and views, and is still only a short journey from the main tourist centres of the mountains.

Get in
The town of Wentworth Falls is around 2-3 km from the falls themselves.

By car
Take the M4 Western Motorway from central Sydney. Continue straight, and follow the signs. The M4 becomes the Great Western Highway at the foot of the Blue Mountains. Continue straight until Wentworth Falls. The town is about 100 km west of Sydney. Traffic is heavy with the peak commute times into and away from Sydney. Friday can see extensive delays, and Fridays before holidays are worse still.

Parking at the Falls and the Conservation Hut can fill easily on sunny weekends. You'll just have to park in the surrounding streets. Parking is free.

By train
is on the Blue Mountains train line on Sydney's Intercity rail network. Trains depart Central station in Sydney approximately every hour. Alight at Wentworth Falls railway station in the centre of the town. A PDF copy of the timetable can be found on TfNSW's website.

By bus
Blue Mountains Transit runs routes 685 and 690K from Katoomba station to Wentworth Falls.

See

 * The National Park about two km to the south of the village has the largest waterfall in the Blue Mountains National Park. There are also Aboriginal sites over 20,000 years old.
 * Wentworth Falls Lake is a popular picnic spot and a short walk from the village. There are interesting seed pod sculptures within the park. The lake is stocked with fish (Redfin mainly). There is a lovely new playground area, free electric BBQs and swimming in the warmer months is popular.

Do
Walking trails, including:

If you don’t have a car, Blue Mountains 4wd, based in Wentworth Falls, offers daily touring experiences specialising in Blue Mountains highlight areas and seldom visited off road experiences. They can be contacted on +61 414 405 974.
 * the best one-day walk in the Blue Mountains. If you start from the Wentworth Falls end, the views as you descend the stairs and turn onto the cliff ledge will take your breath away.  There are some steep steps at either end of the path, although overall the walk has a gentle grade and will present a moderate challenge to someone of average fitness.  The path is cut into the cliff in sections, and doesn't always have protective fences.  The path starts at the Falls, around 2km from the village and train station.
 * the Wentworth Pass track, which allows you to swim at the bottom of the Falls.
 * The Charles Darwin Walk, named after Charles Darwin who visited the area, and did the walk. About 2 hours long, starting from the station and ending at the falls.  Ideal for those visiting by train.  Gentle grade. Note that this walk has been closed due to flood damage that occurred in February 2020. No reopening date has been announced.

Canyoning and abseiling are also popular activities.

Buy
Artwork and pottery by well known Australian artists at the Falls Gallery.

Eat
There are many good quality small cafes and restaurants in the village, including:
 * Twins on Blaxland, Wentworth Falls Golf Club, A cosy restaurant serving a variety of casual and gourmet-style foods. There are regular events held, such as a buffet and karaoke.
 * The Blue Mist Cafe, serving solid breakfast and lunch fare
 * The Blue Mist Cafe, serving solid breakfast and lunch fare

Drink
The Grand View Hotel provides typical Australian bar and hotel service. D'vine Cellars has a great selection of Australian and New Zealand wines and beers.

Sleep

 * There are many bed and breakfast and self contained cottages in the area, including Moments, Silvermere and Chateau Fontanelle. Popular for weekend getaways from Sydney, so expect to pay a premium for Friday and Saturday nights, and to find some good midweek deals.
 * Inexpensive accommodation is available in the Grand View Hotel.

Go next

 * Leura – immediately to the west
 * Springwood – to the east, on the way up from Sydney

title: Wentworth Falls


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Wenzhou

Wenzhou (温州 Wēnzhōu) is a city in Zhejiang Province.

Understand
Wenzhou is the third city of Zhejiang Province and one of the economic power houses of the region. Famed for its businessmen and women of the night (and the Wenzhou model of business), Wenzhou is frequently used by Western media as a barometer of the Chinese export economy; among other things, Wenzhou manufactures around 90% of the world's spectacles and massive quantities of shoes. Wenzhou is not on many China tour itineraries and despite being a Chinese cultural hotspot, it is not the most foreigner friendly of cities (compared with Hangzhou and Ningbo, for example). However, there are plenty of things to do and see should you find yourself with time on your hands in Wenzhou. The city has a resident foreigner community that is below average for the city's size (100-200), although foreign businessmen often pass through.

Wenzhou is near the East China Sea (called East Ocean in Chinese) in the south-eastern part of China. It is a prosperous city with a rapid economic boom because Wenzhou was one of the first port cities to be opened to foreign trade after Deng Xiaoping took over China in the 1970s. Wenzhou is the biggest and most prosperous city in the south of Zhejiang Province, and considers the importance of education highly. Hence, many famous mathematicians have come from this city.

Climate
Wenzhou is a city with frequent rains, and the average annual temperature is around 17 °C.

Talk
Although Mandarin is widely spoken, the local dialect is Wenzhounese (温州话 Wēnzhōuhuà) and is regarded by Chinese nationals as one of the most difficult dialects in the country, so much so that Wenzhounese speakers were used by the Chinese resistance in World War II to communicate under the noses of the Japanese.

By plane

You can get from the airport to the city center by taxi or bus. Taxis are the most expensive and you should bargain hard; if they do not like the price you are offering they laugh at you and start shouting Bus!. If a taxi driver offers you a ride under ¥100 it can be regarded as a good deal. Taking the bus is now much easier due to a ticket desk in the new terminal opposite the exit gate. The bus costs ¥12 and drives through New City (新城; Xīnchéng), Xialüpu (下吕浦 Xiàlǚpǔ) and finally stops at a depot on Nanpu Road (南浦路 Nánpǔlù).

By train
serves most cities throughout China, although because of Wenzhou's mountains, train journeys are sometimes much longer than their bus counterparts. The train station is at the major junction of Wenzhou Avenue (温州大道 Wēnzhōudàdào) where it meets Chezhan Avenue (车站大道 Chēzhàndàdào).

is served by the high-speed trains that come from Shanghai, bound for Fuzhou and Xiamen. Some of the stations along the way are Hangzhou, Ningbo and Taizhou. This station is also served by trains via Jinhua-Wenzhou High-speed Railway.

By bus
Wenzhou's bus stations serve a variety of locations around the country. Arrivals from Shanghai and Fuzhou will find themselves at New South Station (新南站; Xīnnánzhàn) which is near the train station on Wenzhou Avenue (温州大道 Wēnzhōudàdào), arrivals from Hangzhou and Ningbo will find themselves at New City Station (新城站; Xīnchéngzhàn) which is in New City, and arrivals from places as varied as Yiwu and Qingdao will find themselves at Shuangyu Bus Station (双屿汽车站 Shuāngyǔqìchēzhàn) which is on the west side of the city near the suburb of Huanglong.

By metro
Although there is only one metro line, the Wenzhou Metro (WZ-MTR) is its useful to travelers. Line S1 connects the two train stations, the city centre and the airport.

By bus
Buses cost ¥1.5-2.5 within the city and can be very useful once you figure what number goes where. Useful buses include the 81 that goes between the old train station and the new south train station (¥2). The price is listed on the outside of the bus and on the bus stop sign. The bus stop sign also lists the stops on one side and shows a map on the other. Strangely, you will not find this in Beijing or Shanghai.

By taxi
Taxis are ¥11 for the first 4 km and ¥1 for each 500 m thereafter (after 11:30PM prices rise to ¥12+2 (gas charge) for the first 4 km and ¥1 for each 500 m thereafter). If you are outside the centre of the city, or in the centre trying to get elsewhere, you will not be able to catch a taxi between 4:30PM and 6PM. This is because of the driver shift change. If you are taking a longer-distance ride or travelling during rush hour, expect to "share" your taxi ride with others going to same section of the city (and pay more about ¥15 plus ¥2 tax for longer rides).

Watch out for prices charged by taxi drivers "off the meter" and negotiate price if it is raining, or during rush hour, prior to your ride. Do not allow them to charge you over ¥12!

By ferry
Although one ferry serves the tourist island of Jiangxin, there are other ferries that serve destinations up and down the Ouhai River (瓯海 ōuhǎi) such as the suburb of Oubei (瓯北 ōuběi)

Work
Schools licensed to employ foreigners to teach English include D.D. Dragon, Dr Mike's, Kid's Castle and Web International English. Always inquire about a Z-Visa and check that the school has a license from the local government. There are many unlicensed schools, some of which provide a good teaching experience but your passport might not bear up to scrutiny. There are also several universities based in Wenzhou, mainly in the Chashan (茶山) area that hire foreigners to teach English, among other subjects. Kean University, a joint American-Chinese university is the best of them, although the requirements there are far stricter.

See also Teaching English and China.

Buy
There are no token "Wenzhou" things that you need to buy (though Wenzhou is apparently known locally for high-quality shoes), but there are many things made in Wenzhou, so if you look and bargain well, you can buy them at very cheap prices. This section is helpful if you are looking for something that would be easy to find in a western city, but you are unsure of where to find it in a Chinese one.

Toiletries

 * D&L (Beneath European City) The D&L Supermarket has a decent selection of foreign toiletries. Very pricey though.
 * D&L (Beneath European City) The D&L Supermarket has a decent selection of foreign toiletries. Very pricey though.
 * D&L (Beneath European City) The D&L Supermarket has a decent selection of foreign toiletries. Very pricey though.

Budget

 * Chashan University Town. To the south of Wenzhou, Chashan University town (山高教园区), it is home to many universities and cheap, tasty restaurants aimed at students.  Snack street (小吃街), located near Wenzhou Medical University, is a good area for especially cheap restaurants, although the hygiene of many places is quite questionable!  Many outdoor barbeques with cheap beer can also be found along the riverside.
 * Chashan University Town. To the south of Wenzhou, Chashan University town (山高教园区), it is home to many universities and cheap, tasty restaurants aimed at students.  Snack street (小吃街), located near Wenzhou Medical University, is a good area for especially cheap restaurants, although the hygiene of many places is quite questionable!  Many outdoor barbeques with cheap beer can also be found along the riverside.
 * Chashan University Town. To the south of Wenzhou, Chashan University town (山高教园区), it is home to many universities and cheap, tasty restaurants aimed at students.  Snack street (小吃街), located near Wenzhou Medical University, is a good area for especially cheap restaurants, although the hygiene of many places is quite questionable!  Many outdoor barbeques with cheap beer can also be found along the riverside.

Drink
Do not miss out on the locally brewed delight, Double Deer Beer, ¥2-2.5 on the streets. Also, do not forget to look under the cap for a free beer or ¥1 refund. Known as Shuan1 Lu4 in Chinese. It also has a more expensive, premium light counterpart.

Wenzhou four four main areas for nightlife.

Xialü Waterfront
Xialü Waterfront (下吕浦 Xiàlǚpǔ'') is the area where most foreigners live and some bars have sprung up around; bear in mind that it is not a waterfront in the traditional sense (there is no water, nor front).

Jiangbin Road (The River)
Jiangbin Road (The River) (江滨路; Jiāngbīnlù) plays host to some of the biggest clubs, bars and restaurants in town. The main strip is on Wangjiang Road (望江路), but taxi drivers regard the whole area as Jiangbin Road.

Shuomen Old Street
Shuomen Old Street (朔门街 Shuòménjiē) is a hip and happening part of town set back from Jiangbin Road, off Jiefang Road (解放路). New bars open every week as well as strange little shops and board game bars.

Renmin Road
Renmin Road (人民路 Rénmínlù) is the main road of Wenzhou and hosts a few massive clubs, though definitely not a place for a quiet (or cheap) drink.

Budget
There are no hostels in Wenzhou, but couch-surfing is a valid option with a large number of Wenzhou residents registered to welcome travelers. There are also some budget hotels around:

Stay safe
Wenzhou is not a dangerous city for foreigners, especially foreigners that are careful.

 * Taxis — it is not unknown for women to be harassed while in a taxi on their own. If you are catching a taxi on your own at night it may be best to sit in the back of the taxi, out of reach of grabby hands. Do not flash too much cash around late at night, as robbery has been known by taxi drivers who pick up accomplices. However, this is rare, and many taxi drivers are well intentioned and friendly.
 * Fights — if a fight breaks out between Chinese people, do not get involved. If a Chinese person gets aggressive with you or a friend, leave discreetly as soon as you can.
 * The streets at night — the streets of Wenzhou are normally safe, and because there are always eyes on foreigners, someone will always see anything that happens. This said, there are certain no-go areas of the city where poverty and demographic abnormality (excess men) can lead to high aggression levels.
 * Beggars — here are a number of beggars throughout the city especially around Wuma Street and Renmin Road. The beggars are run by gangs that maintain the beggars (with food and shelter) while taking the money that is collected by the often disabled/disfigured panhandlers. Don't stand and watch a begging 'performer' because you WILL be harassed for money; being foreign is reason enough to harass you.
 * Prostitution — prostitution is illegal in China but is widely tolerated. Brothels or 'Pink Houses' (because of the pink lights) riddle the city and many foreigners are known to use them. Brothels are far from safe, not just because of STIs, but also because of under-age prostitutes, robbery and police raids. Police in Wenzhou have been known to raid brothels while a foreigner is inside, the consequences of which can be far reaching; your visa could be revoked resulting in deportation.

Go next

 * Linhai — in the Taizhou prefecture, north of Wenzhou, Linhai has the Southern Great Wall of China. There is also an East Lake (东湖), and long old streets. Really nice place. Buses leave the City Bus Station (新城长途车站) every 30 minutes or so, take 1 hr 46 min and cost ¥66.

 * Cangnan County. Administratively part of Wenzhou Prefecture, it is Fujian's southernmost county. It includes an early-Ming walled city (Pucheng) with a well-restored city wall, and miles of rugged sea coast with scenic fishing villages.
 * Hangzhou — buses take about 4-4.5 hours, leave from New City Bus Station, and cost ¥150. They leave really frequently first thing in the morning, and then every 30 minutes or so afterward.
 * Shanghai — can get there by train, bus or plane. Train costs ¥90 for a seat, ¥175 for a hard-sleeper and takes about 10 hours. In 2009, the CRH Train service has officially entered Wenzhou at their newly opened South Railway Station (温州南站). The tickets are ¥180-220 and it takes slightly over 4 hours.  The bus costs ¥200 and takes about 6 hours. The bus route between Wenzhou and Shanghai will take you across the longest sea bridge in the world. The plane takes no time and can be as little as ¥200 if you leave very early.

title: Wenzhou


text:
Wernigerode

Described by the German heath poet, Hermann Löns, as the "brightly coloured town by the Harz", Wernigerode is an attractive destination on the Holtemme river, nestling against the northern foothills of said mountain range.

Understand
Wernigeorde's charm — derived from its impressive medieval-era Old Town with its fascinating fairy-tale castle and rows of centuries-old timber-framed houses — have led to it becoming a popular waystop on two major tourist routes: the German Timber-Framed Road and the Orange Route, a German-Dutch holiday road. The town is also a good base for exploring the northern Harz on foot or by mountain bike.

History
Wernigerode is first recorded in 1121 when it was the seat of the medieval County of Wernigerode, a status it held until 1429. It was during that time, in 1229, that it was granted town rights. Wernigerode's heyday came during the 14th and 15th centuries as it grew wealthy through trading in cloth, beer and brandy. However, it suffered from plague epidemics in the 16th century as well as the ravages of the Thirty Years' War and fell into decline.

From 1645 to 1807, Wernigerode was the seat of the County of Stolberg-Wernigerode. At the end of the 18th century, the town's economy picked up again, this time based on tanning and the manufacture of cloth and linen. In 1815 it was absorbed into the Prussian Province of Saxony. During the Industrial Revolution, new metal and wood industries settling here. The railways arrived in 1872, the same year that the Harz's best known brewery, the Hasseröder Brauerei, was founded.

After the Second World War, Wernigerode fell on the East German side of the Inner German Border in the newly-created state Saxony-Anhalt. Wernigerode became part of the restored state of Saxony-Anhalt in 1990 after German reunification and did not take long to restore the beauty of its timber-framed town houses. Wernigerode has a population of about 35,000.

By car
Wernigerode has two junctions (Wernigerode-Nord and Wernigerode-Zentrum) on the B 6, a motorway-like dual carriageway that runs along the northern edge of the Harz from west to east. The B 6 branches off the A 7 motorway near Goslar and the A 395 motorway from Brunswick to Vienenburg.

By train
is on the Heudeber-Danstedt–Vienenburg line with two-hourly services that run between Hanover and Halle using the Harzexpress.

Wernigerode is also the main depot and terminus on the Harz Narrow Gauge Railways. Trains, including steam-hauled services, than run to various destinations in the Harz, including its highest mountain, the Brocken.

Tip: The HarzTourCard enables you to travel by bus, train and narrow gauge train (except trains to the summit of Brocken) as much as you like within three days. It costs for a single card,  for a family.

By plane
Wernigerode is about 1 hr 15 min by car from Hanover airport and about 1½ hours from Leipzig airport.

On foot
The vast majority of Wernigerode's important tourist sites are contained within the compact area of the old town, whose narrow cobbled streets aren't particularly amenable to motorized transportation. Walking is probably the most sensible way to get around.

By car
If you're staying in a further-flung area, your best bet is to leave your car at one of the several car parks or roadside parking meter bays near the centre.

By bus
The local public transport organization Harzer Verkehrsbetriebe (HVB) operates a municipal bus network throughout the city, consisting of four lines that converge on the, located at Ringstraße 31 in the centre of town. Regular buses run seven days a week, from roughly 06:00 until 19:00 on weekdays and 09:00 until 17:30 on Saturdays, Sundays and legal holidays. From roughly 19:00 until 00:00, there's also more limited service courtesy of a night bus (Abendlinie). HVB's website includes a system map and schedules for each route.

See
Wernigerode has a wealth of historic sights and curiosities. Without a shadow of doubt, though, its top sights are its preserved medieval castle overlooking the town and its splendid town hall. But wandering around its ancient, sometimes still cobbled streets, the tourist will come across rows of colourful timber-framed houses and oddities like the Leaning House and the tiny "Smallest House" in Wernigerode, as well as museums that reflect the town's history and culture.

Houses

 * The smallest house in Wernigerode is now a museum; see below.
 * The smallest house in Wernigerode is now a museum; see below.
 * The smallest house in Wernigerode is now a museum; see below.
 * The smallest house in Wernigerode is now a museum; see below.

Do
There are several worthwhile walks in the local area, but Wernigerode is also a great starting base for exploring the Harz by rail, road, mountain bike or on foot.

Hiking
Wernigerode is a great starting point for hiking in the northern Harz and the Harz Club (Harzklub) maintains hundreds of miles of trail and organises guided walks. For more information contact at their local branch: Volker Friedrich, Horstberg 18, 38855 Wernigerode,.

Skiing
Visiting during the winter months? Several ski resorts are located on the Lower Saxony side of the Harz mountains, 20-30 km west and south of Werningerode. Though they are not as big and internationally renowned as the ones in the Alps they are still there. Refer to the Goslar, Braunlage and Clausthal-Zellerfeld articles for more information.

Buy

Eat
Wernigerode has a range of good restaurants and cafes to tempt the palate, whatever your budget. It's well worth sampling the regional specialities such as game dishes and local cakes (such Harzer Baumkuchen or Brockentorte).

Connect
Wernigerode's is located at Minslebener Straße 19, about a kilometer outside the Old Town. It's open on weekdays from 09:00-12:30 and 13:00-17:00, and on Saturdays until 12:00.

There are no Internet cafés in town, but most hotels (and many other public places) offer public WiFi for free or for a nominal charge.

Go next

 * Blankenburg, a historic, timber-framed town and castle on the northern rim of the Harz (20 min by road)
 * Brocken, the highest mountain in the Harz, accessible by steam railway from Wernigerode.
 * Halberstadt, the "Gateway to the Harz" from the north, contains many medieval buildings including a trio of 11th- and 12th-century churches.
 * Quedlinburg, a UNESCO World Heritage site thanks to still more historic timber-framed buildings
 * Brunswick, the Lion City, north of Wernigerode (about 30 min by road)
 * Goslar, ancient imperial town on the northwestern edge of the Harz (about 20 min by road)
 * Halle, Saxony-Anhalt's largest city (about 1 hr 20 min by road)
 * Magdeburg, Saxony-Anhalt's capital, a medieval city on the River Elbe (about 1 hr 10 min by road)
 * Schierke, home to a well-known local drink, Schierker Feuerstein.

title: Wernigerode


text:
West (Hill Country)

The West Hill Country is in central Texas.

Other destinations

 * , 7066 FM 864, Fort McKavett, +1 325 396-2358.
 * , 1927 Park Road 73, near Junction, +1 325 446-3994.

Stay safe
Be warned about driving the speed limit usually each town or city will have cops at the beginning of the town limits and right near the end trying to catch speeders etc., especially out of towners who are probably used to less stringent enforcement, they will ticket you as a way to gain municipal funds as in some towns there isn't a lot of ways for them to raise money be warned

title: West (Hill Country)


text:
West Afghanistan

This article covers the western portion of Afghanistan. This region is inhabitanted by the Farsiwans and the Turkmens. It has cultural links with Turkmenistan, but is also influenced by Iran's Khorasan Province, which used to be the ancient name for the whole region of the Afghan nation. It comprises Badghis, Faryab, Ghor and Herat provinces.

Cities

 * – an historical and lively city near the Iranian border
 * – capital of Faryab province, but best saved for a future trip in calmer times

Other destinations

 * – a potential side trip if going overland from Herat to Kabul, it contains the enormous and random Minaret of Jam.

See

 * The Minaret of Jam - an enormous and oddly located minaret in the small village of Jam.

Itineraries

 * The Central Route - this is a 4-6 day very rough journey between Herat and Kabul, endured in Toyota HiAces. It takes you through some great scenery in the inhospitable mountains and gives you the chance to stop in Jam to see the Minaret of Jam, one of the most off-the-beaten path sites in the country and some say well worth the sidetrip.
 * The Northern Route to Mazar - this 2- to 3-day trip is considered dangerous and is not recommended.

Go next

 * Iran - Herat is the nearest major city to the border and the place to launch a journey into Persia.

title: West Afghanistan


text:
West Africa

West Africa is the most densely populated area of Africa. It is in many ways both the continent's most difficult place for travel and potentially its most rewarding.

Countries

Sometimes Mauritania, Mali, Niger, and Chad are also considered as West African states.

Cities

 * — the largest city in Cote d'Ivoire, still a West African nightlife hotspot, despite the country's political instability
 * — the purpose-built government capital of Nigeria is attractive, and remarkably safe!
 * — an incoherent jumble of a city, the capital of Ghana, and one of the most accessible cities in West Africa for travellers
 * — Benin's big non-capital has the feel of a West African, urban version of the Wild West; you can buy anything at a city that is essentially an enormous, lawless (but reasonably safe) market town, and dirt cheap "Rolexes" of questionable origin and voodoo charms remain popular items for travellers
 * — the capital of Senegal and the westernmost city in Africa
 * — the largest city in Nigeria and the second largest in the whole of Africa is a city bursting with energy. With over 15 million inhabitants, it is considered to be like the New York of Africa where you can find anything you are looking for
 * — Togo's bustling capital, somewhat unfairly disliked by travellers, and possibly the moto-taxi capital of the world.
 * — the capital of Burkina Faso

Other destinations

 * — an archipelago of some twenty tropical, beautiful islands in Guinea Bissau with French-owned fishing lodges.
 * — are these paradisiacal-looking beaches, each with an utterly unique appearance and culture, the most beautiful in the world?
 * — absurdly named the "Venice of Africa," this stilt village, at the centre of a large lake, is more of a stilt city, and offers one of the strangest photo opportunities you'll ever have.
 * (Fouta Djallon) — hills and mountains in the interior of Guinea with a relatively cool climate, the home of the Pular people and sometimes called the "Switzerland of Africa."
 * — the largest National Park in Senegal.
 * — the largest remaining intact portion of the once great Upper Guinea Rainforest is home to the world's last viable population of pygmy hippopotami, as well as numerous rare monkeys, chimps, rare forest elephants, and other rare animals.
 * — Togo's somehow completely unknown answer to Mali's Dogon Country; an expansive, beautiful, mountainous region filled with surreal villages of improbable mud/clay fortresses, and culture barely touched by modernity.
 * — a large, trans-border system of national parks, with parts in Benin, Burkina Faso and Niger, which offers the best opportunities for wildlife spotting in West Africa.
 * — the largest National Park in Nigeria, and the most visited of all the parks in the region.

Understand
West Africa is bounded in the north by the Sahel, and in the south and west by the Atlantic Ocean.

History
West Africa has gone through different periods of history; in prehistoric times, the region was first settled by humans who developed agriculture and made contact with peoples in the north. From the Iron Age, empires arose and developed trade. In the Atlantic slave trade, it experienced a flourishing of polities which underwent extensive contact with Europeans. In colonial times, Britain and France nearly controlled the entire region and since the post-independence era, many current African nations were formed.

Talk
West Africa is home to thousands of languages and dialects native to the region. However, due to the influence of European colonizers, a common language spoken in the region is English, another commonly spoken language is French, and some regions speak Portuguese.

Get in
The African highways connect many cities in West Africa with Nigeria being the main hub.

Flying from other African cities can be unsafe as many airlines have a very poor safety record. Check this first before choosing to fly with an airline.

In order of size here are the main airline hubs.

 * Lagos Airport - Several flights per day to London. Less frequent flights also to other main cities in Europe
 * Dakar Airport - Many flights to Milan, Madrid, Brussels and Paris
 * Accra Airport - Many flights to UK (Manchester, London, Glasgow) as well as Frankfurt.
 * Abidjan Airport - Flights to Paris, Brussels and Dubai

Get around
Generally it takes time - and a whole lot of patience - to move around in West Africa. The roads are not all in great conditions and many roads aren't paved. Always be sure to have an extra day or two in the end if you are going somewhere since planning is very hard when the transport is unreliable.

By bus
ABC Transport runs daily coach services between Lagos and Accra, Cotonou and Lomé.

By train
Railway services are extremely limited in West Africa. The only country with a somewhat functioning railway system is Nigeria where passenger trains connects the largest cities. Outside Nigeria, the only long distance passenger service operates 1-2 times per week between Ouagadougou, the capital of Burkina Faso and Abidjan in Côte d'Ivoire.

See
Well, there actually isn't too much to see here! Visitors who focus on sightseeing will find themselves experiencing a lot of hardship with pretty small payoffs. A common traveller complaint is of spending the whole trip in miserable bush taxis! The big game animals of the rest of Sub-Saharan Africa are absent; the majestic ruins of North and East Africa likewise are nowhere to be found. Many would argue that time spent searching for "attractions" would be better spent getting to know the people you are visiting, engaging in a real and meaningful cultural exchange: starting to understand their history, religious practice, and way of seeing the world, and sharing a bit of your own.

We're all travellers here, though: it's hard to stay in one place, and chasing down sights is a good way to slake wanderlust.

Historical
Historical monuments dating back past the arrival of Europeans in the region are few and far between. Tropical weather took its toll upon the larger structures built by old kingdoms and empires, and those that survived the weather often were destroyed with some incredible violence by European invaders (the destruction of Benin City in Nigeria being a prominent example). The most notable structures of African past would likely be the enormous collection of ramparts, walls, and ditches at the ancient fortress of Sungbo's Eredo, less than 20 miles from Lagos (and the largest pre-colonial monument in the whole of the continent), and the palaces of the Dahomey Empire in Abomey, Benin. Also in Nigeria, Kano holds much interest (and is generally one of the most pleasant places for a tourist to visit in the country) as the seat of the historical Empire of Kano, with the Emir's palace (in addition to other sixteenth century sites around the city) being fully intact, albeit much renovated throughout the centuries.

Many of the sites of significant historical interest in West Africa are European-built. The terrifying slave castles of the Ghanaian coast (most famously at Elmina and Cape Coast) are imposing on their own for their massive size and seaside locations, but their importance to the history of the modern world cannot be overstated, and are a must-see for anyone in the region. Sites of importance to the slave trade are hardly limited to the charismatic forts of Ghana, though, with prominent sites near Dakar, Conakry, Ouidah, aforementioned Abomey, Porto-Novo, and Freetown (with sites especially important to the slave trade to the United States in Freetown).

Modern Africa has ramped up its production of monument-building, epitomized by the colossal African Renaissance Monument outside Dakar, intended to challenge perceived foreign perceptions of African as an inferior backwater. Other monuments, such as the Arch 22 in Gambia, the Nkrumah Mausoleum and Independence Square in Accra, and others throughout the region's national capitals are more concerned with less lofty ideals of good old fashioned national greatness and deification of post-colonial leaders.

Cultural and religious
The cultures of West Africa are deeply religious, and much of the cultural life and monuments revolve around spirituality. Of Muslim architecture, most travellers find the mud-built Sudano-Sahelian mosques to be of the most interest. The region's most famous, both of the Volta basin style, include Larabanga Mosque just outside Mole National Park in Ghana and the Grand Mosque of Bobo-Dioulasso. A bit less unique, but still impressive, are the capital-type, modern grand mosques in Abuja, Lagos, Ouagadougou, and other major cities in the region.

For Christian architecture, the most obvious place to visit is the Basilica of Our Lady of Peace in Yamoussoukro. The basilica is in fact the largest church in the world, ahead of Saint Peter's Cathedral in the Vatican, from which its more modern design draws inspiration. Other interesting Christian buildings include the curiously mosque-like Dakar Cathedral and the strikingly modern St Paul's Cathedral in Abidjan.

But while you can go almost anywhere in the world to see great works of Christian and Muslim architecture, interested travellers should take advantage of West Africa's identity as the wellspring of Voodoo. Benin is the spiritual homeland of Voodoo (which shares much in common with traditional religious beliefs throughout West Africa) and neighboring Togo is another centre of widespread Vodun practice. Cotonou's Grande Marche du Dantopka is the world's epicentre for purchasing Voodoo fetishes, full of monkey skulls, lion paws, and all sorts of other less offensive charms. Lomé's Marche de Feticheurs is likely the second biggest fetish market in Africa, albeit a bit more touristy: They charge for admission! Voodoo is a bit more occulted in Ghana and Nigeria, but still very much present (try searching Jamestown in Accra for the "timber market"). Shrine-like Voodoo fetishes are scattered throughout Togo and Benin, with the largest being Dankoli fetish near Savalou. Togoville is the hub of Voodoo practice in Togo, and its fetishes and shrines are unusually juxtaposed against its large cathedral, which was visited by the Pope in 1986.

Ghana is also a rewarding destination for those interested in local religious and cultural beliefs. The Ashanti region around Kumasi is dotted with shrines.

Natural
Despite a large number of national parks, tourism in the wild is elusive in Africa's most crowded region. Moreover, a large number of West Africa's protected areas are in dire straights, undermined by political conflict and lawlessness, either current or historical. The most visited parks are those that are easiest to reach, in countries with decent transportation infrastructure. Ghana's Kakum National Park is in all honesty not that impressive, but is just off the main coastal road, and is extremely popular. Ghana's northern Mole National Park, on the other hand, is harder to get to, but still popular for its superior wildlife viewing opportunities. Nigeria's Yankari National Park similarly has good tourist infrastructure, and has actually become one of the top tourist destinations in the country. While none of Gambia's national parks has taken off as a standout tourist destination, the ease and popularity of visiting has made trips on the Gambia river a prime eco-tourism and birding activity.

Further afield, Taï National Park in Côte d'Ivoire is an incredible refuge of West Africa's once great biodiverse tropical rainforest. While the country's instability has made it more difficult to visit, it remains the country's most accessible. The trans-border W National Park is the region's highlight, but it is far enough off the main transportation grid to keep it quietly off the beaten path. Niokolo-Koba National Park is a great place for wildlife spotting in Senegal, but its remote southeastern location keeps the tourists away.

If you really want to get off-the-beaten-path, prepare for some serious adventuring. Tiwai Island, a refuge teeming with numerous rare monkey species, as well as the occasional pygmy hippopotamus, is theoretically not so hard to reach, but Sierra Leone is hard enough to get to, and you will need some serious time to get there and do it justice. The biosphere reserve of the Bijagos Islands is similarly well set up for a visit, but it's just hard to get there, in rarely visited Guinea-Bissau. For the truly adventurous (or simply insane), Sapo National Park is in a terribly dangerous section of Liberia, requires a permit to visit (and is visited almost only by poachers), has no paths or roads, and no accommodations in or near the park. But it is a great refuge of West Africa's remaining tropical rainforest and its most rare species: forest elephants, pygmy hippopotami, monkeys, chimpanzees, et al.

Beaches
West Africa is home to some incredible, mind-blowingly beautiful beaches, and they are not always where you would expect. Gambia, Cape Verde, and to a somewhat lesser extent Senegal are well known and well developed tropical beach destinations. But the most beautiful beaches (OK, don't tell Cape Verdeans this) are at Africa's westernmost point: Liberia and above all Sierra Leone, home to what are possibly the most beautiful beaches in the world. And, of course, Sierra Leonean and Liberian beaches are emphatically not overdeveloped—you will often have them to yourself, or share them with a few busy fishermen!

Beach duds, unfortunately, crop up in the Gulf of Guinea, where locals do not respect their coast's great natural beauty. (Granted, eking out a decent existence in these poor countries often seems a greater priority.) The beaches anywhere near towns and cities are heavily littered, and are used as a toilet, filling the water with squishy feces. The beaches are also very dangerous in this region, both for being the home of the respective countries' highest rates of violent crime, and very strong currents. Of course, there are notable exceptions, particularly in the sparsely populated regions of western Ghana.

Eat
West African food doesn't seem to be for everyone, but those who like it love it. The staple dishes are starch plus some version of soup. Rice is the most popular starch, but fufu—a thick paste, with the rough consistency of soft play-dough, usually made by boiling starchy root vegetables in water and pounding with a mortar and pestle—and other similar pastes are a more interesting alternative. Fufu and its cousins should be eaten with the right hand, and usually dipped in the sauce, stew, or soup provided. Simple "chop bars" (there are plenty of different names for this common phenomenon) nearly always provide this recipe, plus some chicken or fish.

Street food is delicious, multifarious, and dirt cheap. Unfortunately, problems with sanitation make this food a bit more unsafe than those found in chop bar-style spots and restaurants, for the straightforward reason that you aren't sure when it was cooked! Items that you see cooked, items that require peeling (e.g., eggs, coconuts, bananas, etc.), or items wrapped immediately after cooking (like bread) are safe.

Restaurants in cities are very skewed towards European dishes, and tend to treat African food like a poor man's diet. The Francophone countries often have a few excellent French restaurants hidden in the larger cities. What constitutes a "restaurant," though, is malleable. The restaurant could potentially be just a log for sitting, and be defined a "restaurant" simply by dint of having more than three dishes available.

Drink
Make sure your water bottles are sealed and not just refilled with tap water. It can be hard to see until you actually test the top, but people are generally honest about this sort of thing. Many travellers try to go for the locally produced mineral water, rather than those produced by foreign corporations, since local economies need all the help they can get.

"Pure water" is also widely available in guaranteed-sanitary sachets sold on the street, usually for less than 5¢, and is a great way to make sure you stay hydrated in the hot climate. Coconuts in most of these countries are also omnipresent, and street vendors will take off the top with a machete for a tasty drink.

Lagers, non-alcoholic malts, and some weird beverage masquerading as "Guinness" are among the more popular beverages you will run across. Voodoo priests and chiefs seem to prefer Schnaps. For harder stuff, look around for palm wine and gin sachets (which mix well with sprite, or more foolishly, palm wine).

Disease
As far as disease goes, West Africa is the most dangerous place on the planet. It is probably the one place on earth where you should go to extremes to protect yourself from mosquitoes. Do not sleep without a net and do not go without malaria medicine. If you develop symptoms, go to a clinic immediately to make sure of whether you need treatment. Malaria is about as common here as a runny nose, and the worst strain (which is by no means uncommon) can kill you in 24 hours. The parasite will likely live with you for the rest of your days as well, with high risk of recurrence. There is no vaccine.

There are plenty of other scary tropical diseases to protect yourself from in this region. The big dangers for which there is no vaccine available include common dengue fever and Schistosomiasis, various other creepy parasites, Lassa fever, river blindness, and the Ebola virus. The last of these is usually rare, but in 2013-16 there was an Ebola epidemic in several countries in the region with almost 30,000 cases, more than a third of which died.

Many diseases, happily, can be prevented via vaccination. Visit a travel clinic before travelling to the region to find out exactly which immunizations you will need, preferably giving yourself ample time to get the shots taken care of! You need a yellow-fever vaccination to enter most (if not all) of these countries. Rabies vaccination is generally considered optional, but it is a terrible disease to get, with 100% mortality if untreated, and you're most likely to contract it far away from decent medical services.

Traffic
Are the dangers posed by road travel really greater in West Africa than the rest of the developing world? Yes, probably. Travel by boat is notoriously unsafe throughout the region as well. Traffic accidents kill more travellers than disease in West Africa. There isn't a whole lot you can do about this, unfortunately. The most important step to take is to avoid overland travel after dark. Other steps available to those travelling more luxuriously would be to get a trusted driver with a larger 4WD vehicle, and to just generally avoid the rickety minivan bush taxis driven by fatalistic maniacs. Moto-taxis are quite unsafe as well (if often by far more convenient than any other form of transportation...).

Crime
In West Africa as a whole: While mugging and pick pocketing do occur, it is much more common that locals will talk you out of your money. This can include putting you in situations where you have to pay for their food, etc., charging you way more than they should (especially for cab rides), charging you a service fee for being the middle man in a transaction that you can (and may even be trying to) do yourself, asking for bribes for doing their job, police fining you for doing something "illegal" when in reality it is perfectly legal, claiming there is a problem with your visa or that your luggage is overweight and charging you to fix it, etc. As long as you are observant and knowledgeable, you should be able to avoid most of these scams.

Women: It is recommended that any women travellers say that they are married, regardless of actual marital status. It is helpful to also wear a ring (just not one that looks too expensive. Women should realize that cultural differences may result in what they would consider harassment and it is not uncommon to be followed, grabbed by the arm, etc. Be firm in turning down men, and don't be afraid to stand your ground (cultural differences or not, it doesn't make it ok!).

Nightlife: West Africa has some great clubs and bars, but be aware that nearly all of the women that frequent these places are prostitutes (regardless of what they claim- you won't find out until after you've taken her home and she asks you to pay her).

Political instability
West Africa has been a volatile region, and is, alas, still a volatile region. There have been incidents of jihadist activity in Northern Nigeria, particularly by Boko Haram. Some jihadist groups cooperate with one another.

Go next
You can proceed to South America by plane or boat, or go to the Sahel region of Africa.

If you are in Nigeria, you can proceed into Central Africa to the country of Cameroon.

title: West Africa


text:
West Allis

West Allis is a city in Southeast Wisconsin.

Get in
This is a western suburb of Milwaukee. Located south of I-94 straddling I-41/I-894/US-45.

title: West Allis


text:
West Antarctica

West Antarctica is the part of Antarctica that falls in the Western Hemisphere, west of the arbitrary line of 0° longitude on the South America-facing side down to the South Pole then 180° is the line on the Australia-facing side. It's mostly a high, even plateau with an intensely cold dry climate and no wildlife, not even tundra. It contains the continent's highest point, Mount Vinson, and also its lowest, entombed somewhere below 3-4 km of ice.

Understand
As with the rest of the continent, this area is governed by the Antarctic Treaty, which seeks to protect the fragile environment, forbids military use, and sets aside national claims. Thus, various nations own and operate bases here and have hypothetical claims to territory which they waive. References to nations on this page should be understood accordingly. The unique feature of West Antarctica is that one large area, Marie Byrd Land, is so utterly desolate that no nation has ever sought to claim it.

It's believed that East Antarctica has been continuously ice-clad for 15 million years, while West Antarctica has repeatedly shed then regained its ice over climatic cycles. There are signs that it may be about to lose its ice again, with global repercussions. The cause is not air temperature, which remains way below freezing, but warmer ocean water seeping beneath the glaciers to warm them, salt them, and lubricate their flow. Other factors in the mix are ozone depletion and volcanic hot spots. The area is therefore of great importance to climate science.

Regions

 * The South Pole is in neither the eastern nor western hemisphere - or alternatively it's in both - and is described separately.
 * The Antarctic Peninsula and most of the Antarctic islands lie in the western hemisphere but are described separately as they're different in climate and character. They're often visited by cruise ships.
 * Ellsworth Land is the region south of the Peninsula, bounded by the Bellingshausen Sea. The mountains of the Peninsula here merge into the plateau, then re-emerge to form the 360 km chain of the Ellsworth Mountains, bisected by the Minnesota Glacier. The northern part or Sentinel Range has Antarctica's highest mountains, the Vinson Massif, peaking at 4892 m Mount Vinson. In the southern part, the Heritage Range, are Union Glacier Station (Chile, summer) and the privately-run Union Glacier Camp: this has an airstrip and organises trips and supplies to the interior and the annual Ice Marathon.
 * Marie Byrd Land is the large pie-segment of Antarctica west of Ellsworth Land and east of the Ross Sea that is mostly terra nullius - no nation has thought it worth claiming. There are no bases: the former Soviet Russkaya Station closed in 1990, and the US Byrd Station closed in 2005. The lowest point on earth not covered by sea lies somewhere beneath its thick ice. This ice flows north into the Amundsen Sea, where it forms a sheet the size of Texas and 3 km thick. One especially fast-flowing component is the Thwaites Glacier, galloping along at 2 km a year and protruding out to sea as a long tongue - its dynamics are crucial to predictions about climate change and ocean rise.
 * Edith Ronne Land is the unofficial name for the area south of the Weddell Sea, with the Pensacola Mountains running through it. In 2012 the UK government declared it to be "Queen Elizabeth Land", drawing predictable ripostes from other Treaty nations. There are no bases.
 * Coats Land is the region east of the Peninsula, bounded further east by Queen Maud Land in East Antarctica. (Some definitions follow the geography rather than the longitude, and consider Coats Land to be in East Antarctica.) To the north is the Weddell Sea, mostly covered by the huge Filchner-Ronne Ice Shelf: fragments that break from this can be the size of whole counties, and persist as icebergs all the way to New Zealand. Bases in Coats Land are Belgrano II (Argentina), Halley VI (UK), Neumayer III (Germany) and SANAE IV (South Africa).
 * The Ross Sea is bisected by the 180o line. It's a major hub for transport towards the pole, often visited by cruises from Australia and New Zealand, and is described separately.

Get in

 * Ice breakers bring the heavy supplies to the coastal bases. They only come in annually in mid-summer, are hurriedly unloaded then retreat north before the Weddell Sea ice traps them. So if you come that way it's either a very short or a very long stay.
 * Otherwise, you have to fly. And inland places can't be reached by ship.
 * and Camp in Ellsworth Land is operated by Antarctic Logistics & Expeditions (ALE), a private company supporting scientific, expedition and leisure activity on the continent. The runway is natural glacier "blue ice" not packed snow as the climate is so dry, which means that conventional wheeled aircraft can land here - these can carry much more weight and operate over greater range than ski-planes. This enables ALE to fly passengers and cargo here from Punta Arenas once a week from Nov-Jan, using an Ilyushin IL-76 TD jet. The 3000 km flight takes just over four hours.
 * has a fuel cache for aircraft flying between Union Glacier Camp and the South Pole, a 1138 km haul. It might save your life but that's all there is, there's no base here.

Get around
Transport close to the bases is on foot, skis, skidoos or tractors. Light aircraft venture further out.

Bases
The higher the base number, the more challenging the conditions, because it indicates how many previous bases have succumbed to the ice.

 * (Argentina) is perched on the tiny Bertrab Nunatak, so it's on solid rock not on shifting ice. It was badly damaged by fire in 2005 but rebuilt by 2010. Carved out of the ice is the Chapel of Our Lady of the Snows, and a historic cross stands on the rock. The base is mostly supplied by an icebreaker, but there's a year-round ice airstrip 2 km away, and supplies can be supplemented by air-drop, as they were during the rebuilding. The base, opened in 1979, replaced Belgrano I (1955-1979) which was out on the ice, and it has long outlasted Belgrano III (1980-84) on the same unstable site. Along the coast are two Argentinian refuges, Cisterna and Zapiola.
 * (UK) is named for the astronomer who identified Halley's Comet. There's been a base hereabouts since 1956, mainly studying the atmosphere, but it's out on the Brunt ice shelf so four previous stations were destroyed. The fifth, becoming unsafe, was cannibalised for the present sixth station, operational from 2012. This is a remarkable structure of eight modules set on gigantic retractable skis, a hybrid of freight train, colossal caterpillar, and Howl's Moving Castle. In 2016 cracking of the ice prompted a move 23 km further in, bringing it within 20 km of the mainland coast (where glaciers cascade over cliffs to form the Brunt Icefall). In spite of this, cracking remains a concern, and the base has not been staffed over winter since that time. Its main supply is by icebreaker, supplemented by flights to the base air strip.
 * (Germany), opened in 2009, is named for the geophysicist and explorer who was an early proponent of international scientific cooperation. It's in Atka Bay on the Ekström Ice Shelf, 6 km south of the abandoned Neumayer II (1993-2009) which became buried in snow, as did Neumayer I (1981-1992). The station is fixed on stilts so it can be periodically raised, though it continues to move towards the ice edge at 160 m / year.
 * (South Africa) is perched on the flat-topped Vesleskarvet Nunatak in Queen Maud Land - so it's in East Antarctica but is convenient to describe here. Its three predecessors became buried on the Fimbul Ice Sheet, but its stilts and position near a cliff edge mean that snow blows away instead of accumulating. Built of three double-decker modules and opened in 1997, it has far exceeded its designed life expectancy. It's supplied by the icebreaker S.A Agulhas II, which doubles as a research vessel in its own right.

See and do
Check the suggestions for Antarctica. The most important thing for you to do here is come home safe.
 * Nunataks: most of Antarctica is very thick ice, continually moving. Anything built on the ice eventually gets crushed or cracked apart, or finds itself on a cast-off ice floe drifting and shrinking out to sea. A nunatak is an isolated mountain or similar outcrop protruding from the ice (whether land-ice or permanent sea-ice). In the Arctic these may develop unique island habitats; continental Antarctica is too cold for that but they're one of the few places that reveal the underlying geology.
 * : nothing to see on the surface of this frozen plateau, but beneath it are the lowest places on earth not covered by ocean. They're pressed down by the weight of 3-4 km thickness of ice, buckling the earth's crust and somewhat impeding measurement, but the lowest point had been reckoned to be the Bentley Subglacial Trench, 2555 m or 8382 ft below sea level. It's separated by a subglacial ridge from the Byrd Subglacial Basin, and a 2013 survey put this even deeper, at minus 2870 m.
 * 13 km north of Vinson, is Antarctica's second highest peak at 4852 m (15,919 ft). So it forms one of the "second seven", which some mountaineers reckon to be more difficult than the "seven summits." As of 2020, only 15 people have reached the summit of Mount Tyree, and the 2000 m ice wall of its southern face has not yet been climbed.
 * is Antarctica's highest volcano, at 4181 m (13,717 ft). So it forms part of the "seven volcanoes" climbing challenge similar to the "seven summits". It's extinct, but as with Vinson and Tyree it's the remoteness and extreme cold that mean few have climbed it.
 * See East Antarctica for the rival marathon event held at Novo in Queen Maud Land.
 * No penguins unless someone's brought a woolly mascot: they need access to an unfrozen sea. The plateau is too remote and too cold even for penguins - think carefully about that before planning to come here.
 * See East Antarctica for the rival marathon event held at Novo in Queen Maud Land.
 * No penguins unless someone's brought a woolly mascot: they need access to an unfrozen sea. The plateau is too remote and too cold even for penguins - think carefully about that before planning to come here.

Eat
Like anywhere else in Antarctica, food will be served in bases, and must be carried when outside bases.

Drink
"Water, water everywhere yet not a drop to drink:" you are surrounded by freshwater ice that is deep-deep-frozen. Bases can melt it but equipment to do so in bulk is heavy and needs fuel. So on extended trips away from base, this adds weight, and lugging weight raises a thirst.

Sleep
This is not the place for wild camping. You (or your trip organiser) must negotiate access to a base, or bring a heavy-duty self-sufficient expedition.

They say Antarctica is cold, but that is nothing compared to the chill you'll encounter if you just turn up asking for shelter. Every few years, some larrikin thinks it great sport to load up a Cessna with a thermos flask and an extra pullover and try to fly to the South Pole. Some realise their folly and turn back in time to reach safety, some flop in the ocean and vanish, some flop in East Antarctica and some in West. The answer's the same: sorry mate.

Stay safe
West Antarctica is extremely cold and remote, and medical care on the bases is limited. Travel / health insurance that covers a cruise trip to the Peninsula will not be valid for the hazards involved in visiting this region, eg to participate in the Ice Marathon or climb Vinson. The cost of a medical evacuation would be huge.

Go next
The problem is that you can only get here on specialist round trips, with no onward options. Reaching anywhere else in Antarctica (even within West Antarctica) might mean doubling back via South America. Ask ahead about cross-country supply flights that might connect you to another base.

title: West Antarctica


text:
West Bali

West Bali is the least visited part of Bali, home to quiet nature and the gateway to Java.

Cities

 * — the westernmost town in Bali and the ferry to Java
 * — capital town of Jembrana Regency, bull racing and Pura Rumbut Siwi

Other destinations

 * — surfing and a touch of old Bali fishing village life
 * — small island off the north west coast with great diving and part of the West Bali National Park
 * — great diving and beaches with a stunning backdrop of the western mountains
 * — trekking, birdwatching and diverse marine life

Understand
This is the least populated and least visited region of Bali. It is dominated by the West Bali National Park and a huge area of protected reserve, much of which is completely uninhabited. Both the north and south coasts of this region offer quiet beaches but of a very different nature. Those in the north fringe calm seas which are excellent for diving and snorkelling. The southern beaches are wilder and include a number of renowned surfing spots. The town of Gilimanuk on the very westernmost tip of Bali is the departure point for ferries to Java.

By car

Two major roads lead into West Bali, one on the north coast and one on the south coast.

The northern route links Lovina and Singaraja in North Bali to Pemuteran. This is a relatively quiet road which offers some great scenery and attractions en-route and visitors are advised to take it slowly.

Much busier is the southern route as this carries the bulk of the commercial traffic to and from Java. This road links South Bali to Tabanan in Central Bali and then to the western region towns of Negara and Gilimanuk. A car journey from South Bali all the way to Gilimanuk will take upwards of 3 hours.

By bus
Scheduled shuttle buses run from many of Bali's main visitor centres to Gilimanuk and these are widely advertised in towns such as Kuta, Lovina, Sanur and Ubud. Check locally and book one day in advance.

Bemos servicing Negara, Gilimanuk and other parts of the south coast leave from Ubung terminal in Denpasar and Pesiapan terminal in Tabanan.

By boat
Ferries run from Ketapang ferry terminal, Banyuwangi, East Java to Gilimanuk every 30 minutes, 24 hours a day. The journey itself takes about 45 minutes but loading and unloading may extend that time considerably. Since Bali has been the subject of terrorist interest from Java security has tightened enormously - be prepared for delays.

Get around
This remote region of Bali lends itself to getting around by hire car or motorcycle. Cars for rent are not all common here so best to bring it in with you from one of the main tourist destinations. You will find motorbikes easier to come by, especially in the beach communities of Pemuteran and Medewi Beach.

See
West Bali National Park covers some 770 km² and is the dominant feature of this region. All visitors should check in and purchase permits (Rp 25,000) at the main park office in the village of Cekik south of Gilimanuk. Visitors intending to visit only Menjangan Island (part of the national park), please see below. For treks through forest and into the hills of the national park, proceed to the ranger station at Sumber Klampok about 20 minutes west from Cekik. A guide is mandatory and will cost between Rp 200,000 and Rp 500,000 depending on the length and nature of your trek. Discuss all of this and make plans with the staff at the Cekik park office. If you are very lucky you might get to see a Bali Starling, Bali's only endemic vertebrate species.

Vibrant marine life. Uninhabited Menjangan Island is a renowned diving and snorkelling destination. This is part of West Bali National Park and boats with a guide can be chartered at Labuan Lalang just to the west of Pemuteran on the north coast. Dive operators in Pemuteran can arrange everything for you as well as other dive trips along this very attractive stretch of coastline. If the water does to appeal so much, then you can walk around in the island in about one hour and there are lots of good photo opportunities.

Remote black sand beaches. The south coast of this region is fringed by black sand beaches and fishing villages that attract few visitors. The most well known of those is Medewi Beach. This is a surf destination but also a great place to experience laid back life in a tiny Balinese fishing village. Just relax and do not expect to see too many other visitors. On the north coast at Pemuteran there is a more developed but still very relaxed beach scene which centres on diving, snorkelling and marine conservation. Lots of accommodation options here to suit all budgets.

Buffalo racing (Mekepung) in Delod Berawah about 9 km east of Negara town. Thought to originate in Madura, Java, the buffalo races were originally held as part of the harvest festivities in Negara. The colorfully decorated carts and buffaloes race on a four km course every 2nd and 4th Sunday morning starting at 07:00.

Rambut Siwi Temple (Pura Rambut Siwi). About equidistant between Negara and Medewi Beach, it's on a low cliff top overlooking a breathtaking panorama of paddy fields and the mountains of West Bali National Park on one side and black sand beaches on the other. The temple was built by the 16th century Javanese sage Dang Hyang Nirartha, also the creator of Tanah Lot temple. According to legend, he made a gift of his hair to the temple. Hence the name Rambut Siwi, which literally means ” Hair Worship”.

Do
Trekking and birdwatching in West Bali National Park are key activities in this region. You might, just might, even get to see a Bali Starling, one of the rarest birds in the world with just a handful left in the wild.

Surfing is top class on the south coast beaches with the regional surf scene is being centred at Medewi Beach.

Diving and snorkeling around Pemuteran and Menjangan Island rates up there with the very best in Bali. At the same time, get to learn about marine conservation initiatives for which Pemuteran is a key centre in the whole of Indonesia.

Eat
A key culinary speciality of this region is Ayam Betutu (hot and spicy chicken). Chicken is boiled in a broth of local spices for up to 3 hours and wood-smoked (Betutu means smoked). It is normally served with steamed rice and plecing kangkung (hot and spicy spinach). This unique dish will certainly please foodies and even the most jaded of traveller will appreciate the truly delicious flavours. The recipe was apparently invented by the late Mrs Tempeh and the warung bearing her name is the most popular venue for this dish: Warung Men Tempeh in the old bus terminal at Gilimanuk.

Drink
This is certainly not a region of Bali in which to expect any sort of bar culture. A beer on the beach is to be recommended though.

Go next

 * A drive back to South Bali via Tabanan will take about 3 hours.
 * The north coast route to Lovina and Singaraja will take about an hour.
 * Ferries from Gilimanuk to Banyuwangi in East Java run every 30 minutes, 24 hours a day.

title: West Bali