text:
Guinsa

Guinsa (구인사, 救仁寺), also Kuinsa, is a large, remote temple complex in North Chungcheong, South Korea.

Understand

Guinsa is the headquarters of the Cheontae (천태) school of Buddhism, the Korean version of China's Tiantai teachings. Once the largest and most powerful of Korea's 18 school, Cheontae gradually lost popularity over the years and disappeared entirely for some time, but was re-established in 1945 by Sangwol Wongak and now commands a respectable two million followers.

The temple is strikingly located, squeezed into a narrow valley surrounded on all sides by mountains. Unlikely many of Korea's temples, Guinsa is fairly new, being founded by Sangwol Wongak in 1945 as the head temple of his reborn sect. But this is partly what makes it so dazzling: unlike the musty National Treasures with fading colors and peeling edges locked away in glass cabinets at other temples, everything at Guinsa is shiny and new. The original was burned down during the Korean War, but the reconstruction of the first building was completed in 1966 and they've been expanding ever since.

Doctrine
A syncretic school that holds the Lotus Sutra as the peak of the Buddha's teachings, Cheontae posits the following mindbending truths: According to Cheontae, all experiences in the sensory world are in fact expressions of Buddhist law (Dharma), and thus contain the key to enlightenment. This explains the ostentateous altars and the colorful details of Cheontae temples, so far from the austere aesthetic of the competing Seon (Zen) school.
 * All things are empty and without essential reality.
 * All things have a provisional reality.
 * All things are both absolutely unreal and provisionally real at once.

Climate
Guinsa is well-placed to take full advantage of Korea's seasons, with warm temperatures in summer (moderated a little by the altitude) and heavy snow in winter, and is open all year round. However, the most popular time of year to visit is autumn (September–November), when the mountainsides burst into dramatic fall colors.

Get in

The only way of getting to Guinsa is by bus or private car. The nearest major towns, both on the rail network, are Danyang, just 30 minutes away by express bus (departures hourly, W2600), and Jecheon (one hour). There are also direct buses from Seoul's eastern Dong-Seoul terminal (3½ hr, ₩15,200), which stop at Danyang along the way, as well as a few direct buses from Busan (5 hr). There are also morning buses from Cheongju at 07:30 and 10:10 (4½ hr).

Get around
Guinsa can only be covered on foot, and it's quite a hike uphill from the bus terminal to the top. The area is large and it's best to arrive early and reserve at least a few hours for exploring the complex.

Signage or other information in English is basically non-existent, but there's a handy map displayed just prior to the first gate (and reproduced here), the numbers in the listings below refer to this.

See
The complex consists of over 50 buildings, most of them built in modern style from concrete, but with opulent decoration. The following listing selects some of the more interesting ones, in order from bottom to top.

Do
A trail leads off from the right side of the Great Teacher Hall and heads uphill for a fairly strenuous 20 minutes, all on concrete steps though. At the top of the trail and the hill you will find the immaculately tended grave of Sangwol Wongak, and welcome supplies of cold drinking water. If you're in the mood for some serious hiking, the trail continues onward into Sobaeksan National Park all the way up to the 1389m peak of Mt. Shinseonbong.

The temple runs religious services and lectures, but you'll need to brush up on your Korean theology to get much out of them. Visitors can also participate in all sorts of activities for helping upkeep the temple, ranging from washing dishes to hoeing rice fields or preparing kimchi, but (once again) they are not set up to handle English speakers, so you'll need to get a Korean friend to tag along.

Buy
The gift shop (building 38) retails all sorts of interesting Buddhist paraphernalia, including a vast assortment of prayer beads, inkbrush paintings and spiffy stickers with the hypnotic Cheontae logo on them. There's also a post office and ATM in building 37 just across from the gift shop.

Eat

A huge cafeteria (building 11) on grounds, with the capacity to serve 10,000, dishes out three simple vegetarian meals of rice, kimchi and soup daily. All meals are free and visitors are welcome, but food is only available at set times. Lunch service starts at 11:30 and ends at 13:30; if you arrive late and find the main entrance on the right side closed, you can circle around to the left side and try your luck at the kitchen. Donations are welcome but not expected. Be aware that the meals are not of the most delicious sort but rather tasteless so you might consider bringing some snacks on your own. Instant noodles can be purchased from the shop at the bus terminal.

The other option at the temple is the restaurant on the second floor of the bus terminal building. Alternatively, walk downhill to the tourist village, where you can find a whole slew of restaurants.

Drink
Tea, coffee and soft drinks are available from vending machines throughout the site, as is fresh water. In fact, most pilgrims start their visit by symbolically washing their hands and rinsing their mouths at the fountain next to the first gate.

Nightlife is rather more limited, as good Buddhists don't drink alcohol — but evidently somebody does, as you'll see boxes of empty Jinro soju bottles here and there.

Sleep
There are large dormitories on site to accommodate pilgrims. They are large heated rooms where everyone sleeps on the floor in a similar fashion to a jjimjilbang. Lay visitors can also stay in them, as long as they register their name in the reception, which is located in the same building as the post office. With luck, you'll be talking to someone who speaks English. Inquire locally or give the temple a call at +82-43-420-3544 (you should preferably speak Korean). Most visitors, however, choose to stay in nearby Danyang, which has a much wider range of accommodation.

If you miss the last bus, you can find a collection of yeogwan, yeoinsuk and minbak in the tourist village a few minutes downhill from the bus terminal.

Connect
There are public telephones at the post office.

Go next

 * Danyang

title: Guinsa


text:
Guiping

Guiping (桂平) is a small city in Central Guangxi. It is administratively part of the prefecture city of Guigang.

Understand
The area's best-known son was Hong Xiuqian who led the Taiping Rebellion in the mid-19th century. He claimed to be Jesus' younger brother, and was convincing enough to attract tens of thousands of followers and to rule much of China for over a decade. There is a museum in Nanjing, which was his capital, about his Tai Ping Tian Guo, the Kingdom of Heavenly Peace. His actual hometown was a small village in Hua County, which is now a district of Guangzhou known as Huadu District.

By bus
Guiping has two major bus stationsː

Go next

 * Guigang
 * Liuzhou
 * Wuzhou

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

title: Guiping


text:
Guiyang

Guiyang  (贵阳; Guìyáng) is the capital of Guizhou province, China. While not the most spectacular of Chinese cities, it has much to offer as an introduction to the history, culture and natural splendor of Guizhou and China's southwest. Moreover, it is drastically cheaper than the more touristed and developed provinces. It makes an excellent base for exploring mountains, caves, rivers, and minority cultures of the province.

By plane
Guiyang is relatively easy to get to by air with many flights daily coming in from Guangzhou, Shanghai, Beijing and other cities in Southwest China, particularly Kunming and Chengdu. Travelers flying in from abroad will most likely transfer to a domestic flight to Guiyang in Kunming, Guangzhou, Shanghai or Beijing.

From the airport, taxis (¥60 flat rate) or the airport shuttle bus (¥10, drops off in a few locations around town) take fifteen to twenty minutes to reach downtown. Those interested in saving money may opt to catch a taxi from the bus stops in town rather than directly from the airport. Doing so brings the total for a solo traveler to ¥20 from airport to hotel.

By train
Guiyang straddles the trunk rail line linking Chongqing (12 hours) with Kunming (overnight) and points south. Train tickets to Chengdu are also readily available (17 hours). Train tickets, including for hard sleepers, are relatively easy to acquire, given the size of Guiyang's population and its significance as the commercial hub of the province. Heading in from Hunan, the train passes through Kaili before arriving in Guiyang. Tickets to Zunyi (hard seat only) cost ¥17 for the 3½-hour trip.

The area outside the downtown train station, (贵阳站) can be a bit chaotic, but taxis are readily available. There is a taxi queue across the street from the station, although some taxis will stop in mid-traffic to pick you up. Guiyang police have tried to crack down on picking up passengers in crowded areas where it will obstruct traffic, so the queue is probably the best (and safest, given Chinese driving standards) option. The train station is also the terminus for many public bus lines.

High speed rail lines have made their way to Guiyang. The journey to Kunming previously took around 7 hours. Now, travelers can pay ¥212 for a 2½-hour trip. To get from Guiyang to Guangzhou, which took 20–24 hours on normal trains, now takes 4–5 hours and ¥267.5. The line that leads from Guiyang to Chongqing, costs ¥129, and has cut a 4-hour trip in half.

Two stations, both built in the last several years, serve high speed rail. The somewhat older train station, (贵阳北站, Guiyangbei), is located in Jinyang, one of the newer districts of the city. Most of the high speed trains go through this station. The newest station, (贵阳东站, Guiyangdong) in Wudang district also serves some high-speed trains. Make sure you know which station you're traveling through, as the three stations are distant enough that you could miss a connection trying to get between them.

By bus
The long-distance bus station (金阳汽车站) is in the new JinYang development area. Buses to Jinyang leave from the train station and pass by peoples square, opposite the school. From here you can get buses to several destinations, including Guilin and Guangzhou.

Long-distance buses arriving in Guiyang will likely stop at a different station near the airport where you can take a taxi into the city. The driver will probably not use the meter and will take as many passengers as he can, bargain for the price.

The long-distance bus stations are also the best location to get buses to Anshun (60–90 minutes), the gateway to Guizhou's signature Huangguoshu Waterfall. Buses north to Zunyi (two hours) depart every 30 to 60 minutes.

By car
The highway infrastructure in Guizhou is undergoing continual upgrading as part of China's Western Development Effort. Once completed, an expressway will link Guiyang to Chongqing, allowing relatively easy travel and an alternative to the train. The highways leading west and east out of Guiyang are modern and well maintained making for easy access to the western reaches of the province or east to Kaili. It is possible (although expensive, so it may be better to take the bus or train) to hire a car and driver between Guiyang, Zunyi, and other cities.

Climate
Subtropical monsoon humid climate.

The temperature changes little, the winter is warm and the summer is cool, and the climate is pleasant.

By metro
The Guiyang metro system is called Guiyang Urban Rapid Transit, or GYURT. Line 1 is in operation between Xiaomeng Industrial Park in Guanshanhu district and Xiamaixi in Guanshanhu District. It connects to the rail network at Guiyang North and Guiyang railway station. Standard fares are ¥2-6, though each 8 km after the first 24 km will cost an additional ¥1. Line 2 is expected to open at the end of 2020. It starts from Baiyun District, connect the city center to Line 1, and ends at the East Bus Terminal with a stop at the Longdongbao International Airport. A further four lines are under construction, while the long-term plans include a total of nine lines for the city.

By bus
Guiyang has a well-developed bus system, although it is entirely in Chinese and takes some getting used to. A local can help you if you know where you are going. All bus fares cost ¥2. Small local buses pick up passengers at various points around town and can take you to Huaxi or more distant districts of the city for ¥3 per person. These buses can get crowded and are forbidden to carry standing passengers. As a result, all of the standing riders are asked to duck when passing the police.

By taxi
Guiyang taxis charge ¥10 at flagfall. Short trips within the city should cost ¥10. This is an excellent way to get around, as taxis are everywhere. Note that taxis charge extra late at night (¥12 starting rate although for short trips the driver may let you off with the ¥10 flat rate). Taxis heading into or out of the city center may pick up extra passengers.

By motorcycle
As elsewhere in China, motorcycle and scooter taxi services are available. Large intersections or areas with concentrations of bars or restaurants will attract a crowd of motorcyclists. Negotiate a price in advance (¥10-15). Unlike in other areas, the driver is unlikely to have a helmet available for you. Hold on tight.

By foot
Although not the smallest town in China, many of Guiyang's neighborhoods and sights can be seen with a little patience and footwork. This is also a great way to experience life in a still emerging town. The city abounds with small workshops (often in what would normally be locations for small shops or restaurants), delightful street-side restaurants, and small shops selling everything from local handicrafts to new business cards (next day availability) and sheet metal.

Buy

 * Maotai Liquor (茅台酒) - produced in Maotai Town of Renhuai County in Zunyi Prefecture, Maotai holds itself to be one of the world's three most famous distilled liquors. In 1915, Maotai won global fame at the World's Fair in San Francisco (Panama–Pacific International Exposition). According to Maotai lore, the booth at the fair was largely overlooked by the liquor judges because of the cheap labels and black bottles. In frustration one of the attendants smashed a bottle of Maotai releasing the distinct aroma attracting the judges who later awarded the drink a gold medal. Since 1949, it has won 14 international gold prizes and has been exported to over 100 countries and regions. It is officially known as China's national liquor and served at state banquets. At 106 proof (53% alcohol by volume) or stronger, it is not for the faint of heart. Maotai is clear and offers a lingering mild and mellow fragrance some liken to soy sauce. For foreigners it can be a bit of an acquired taste but no visit to Guizhou would be complete without trying the province's most famous product.
 * Anshun Batik (安顺蜡染画) - Batiks are a traditional handicraft of the Buyi people in the Anshun region to the west of Guiyang. Traditional ethnic designs include flowers, birds, fish and insects on indigo-dyed cotton cloth. More recently artisans have produced more colorful silk and wool batiks. There are over 1,000 different types of batik products now produced including whole cloth, bedding, tapestries, caps and purses. Anshun Batiks can be purchased at expensive tourist shops in Guiyang or for more reasonable and negotiable prices in Anshun itself.
 * Guiding Yunwu Tea (贵顶云雾茶) - Produced in Yunwu Mountain in Guiding County, this tea was offered as tribute to the early Qing court. The leaves resemble fishhooks, thin and soft, with whitish hairs. This green tea is much favored for its low caffeine and high catechol content.
 * Yuping Flutes - These elaborately carved flutes are made of local bamboo and produce a clear and beautiful sound. Yuping flutes are traditional local products that have gone on to win international prizes.
 * Ethnic Silver Articles - Two ethnic groups, the Miao and Gejia, are famous for silver smithing. Both groups produce headgear, necklaces and bracelets. Each type has its distinct shapes, patterns and motifs. Miao ornaments mainly use dog, cat, horse, insect, flower or bird motifs. The Gejia prefer sun, stars, dragon, phoenix, bat and certain plant motifs. Both styles give Huangping silver ornaments great artistic value.
 * Embroidery and Cross-stitch - Miao embroidery is a traditional local handicraft. Design motifs are typically butterflies, birds and interestingly enough marine animals. Cross-stitch patterns follow the warps and wefts of the cloth and the most popular ones are colorful geometric figures.
 * Exotic stones and fossils - Guizhou's limestone hills yield a wealth of valuable stones and fossils. As the province also has impressive and commercially exploitable deposits of gold, silver and other minerals, there are a wide variety of mineral stones and samples available. Fossils of Missippian Crinoids and the Guizhousaurus (贵州龙 - a small semi-aquatic dinosaur) are available in many tourist shops. The Guizhousaurus is a common fossil and often found intact and complete so there is actually a fair chance the fossils are legitimate! The buyer will likely notice, however, that the fossils are painted to show the bones more starkly against a darker background of stone.

Eat
People in Guiyang like those throughout Southwest China love spicy food. Use of red chilies of various temperatures and salty dried chili powder dips for hot pots is ubiquitous. Food can be prepared mild (不要辣 buyaola) according to your tastes but the best way is to settle in and eat the way the locals do.

With a brave stomach, you could eat something new everyday for a week just by walking along the streets of Guiyang and sampling the street foods of Guizhou's minorities around the night markets. Most of these offerings come heavily spiced by default, but you can ask for a little or no spice.

Guizhou cuisine
For excellent Guizhou cuisine at very reasonable prices try Siheyuan (四合院). The restaurant enjoys a good bit of local fame and is popular with the (very) small expat community as well. The story goes that the owners were laid off from their factory jobs some years ago. Without work, they opened a street side restaurant with a single table. The food was so good that business boomed. Some 15 or 20 years later they serve a bustling lunch and dinner crowd in a multilevel but still rustic and homey restaurant. Siheyuan doesn't have a sign so finding it without a guide can be a bit of a trick. It is located a few feet down the alley opposite the Protestant Church on Qianling Xilu.

Be sure to try Bean Hotpot (豆米火祸 dōumǐhuǒguō) which is available all around the city. Just as with other hotpot styles, you choose whichever ingredients you want and cook them at your own pace. The difference is in its soup of pinto beans, bacon, and onions. You should get a bowl of spices that you can mix with the soup base for dipping.

Minority cuisines
Minority cuisines are also readily available throughout Guiyang (look for wait staff in brightly colored outfits clapping, dancing and playing oversized pan-flutes at the door). One of the most common and delicious varieties available is the Miao minority's Suan Tang Yu (酸汤鱼), a hot pot centered around a hot and spicy broth with a large whole fish chopped up inside. Like all hot pot restaurants, veggies, meats and other delicacies are purchased a la carte to be added. The dipping bowls contain the ubiquitous chili paste but also add a cube of fermented tofu (non-stinky) that makes a wonderful compliment to the fish. Be sure to wash it down with mi jiu (米酒), a sweet, dark rice wine.

Street food
Night markets are popular in Guizhou for midnight munching, particularly in the warmer months although even the winter does not shut them down. Varieties of street foods particularly grilled freshwater fish, crayfish, snails, chicken, pork, mutton, cabbage, garlic greens, onions, eggplants, mutton, chili peppers and just about anything else that can be skewered is available. For the adventurous whole marrow bones can be grilled up, cracked open and served with a straw. Guiyang's street food vendors tend to come out after sunset.

A night food market fills the entrance way to Qianling Park. Another food street is along the side of Shanxi Road on the side of A exit of the subway station. However the street vendors of Shanxi Road have been overtaken mostly in popularity by the very busy underground "Chinatown" food court—decorated curiously after overseas Chinatowns—directly connected to the Shanxi Road subway station.

For a Guizhou snack unavailable elsewhere try Silk Babies (丝娃娃). For a few kuai, you are given a stack of thin rice pancakes and chopsticks. You sit at a low table covered in bowls of raw and pickled vegetables with a small dish for mixing chili sauce and vinegar. Load the pancakes according to taste, spoon in a little sauce and enjoy.

Among Guiyang's street foods, Guiyang Style Beef Noodles (牛肉粉 niuroufen) is a staple. It can be prepared in a hot red broth or a mild beef broth according to your tastes - although not all establishments offer a choice. Fresh whole garlic cloves, crushed dried red pepper, salt, MSG and Sichuan Pepper (花椒 huajiao) can be added to taste. Don't miss this one - it really hits the spot, especially after a night of drinking! Huaxi Wang Jia Niuroufen is the best and operates a chain of franchises throughout the province but for late night munchies, just follow the crowds.

A peculiar local delicacy (given the fact that Guizhou is landlocked) is Fried Chili Squid (鱿鱼: youyu). Chopped squid is skewed and deep fried before being cooked on a separate metal plate in a bath of sizzling chili sauce. This snack is served hot from carts congregating along Zhonghua Zhonglu. The dish is safe to eat despite the distance from the ocean. One stick costs ¥1. The 鱿鱼 carts are often found in close proximity to other snack carts selling grilled tofu, mutton kabobs, spicy pickled radishes and other munchies.

Drink
Mi jiu is between 10-30% alcohol content, depending on the variety, and is the go-to drink for local minority restaurants and festivals. Expect to see it available in villages all over the province, and at every Miao or Dong minority restaurant. The slightly vinegary and very sweet rice wine goes down very easily with a spicy and sour local meal. A row of reasonably priced restaurants specializing in Suan Tang Yu can be found on Shengfu Lu near the intersection with Fushui Lu near the Beijing Hualian supermarket. These restaurants will also perform a traditional Miao drinking ceremony if you purchase a bottle of rice wine and request the ceremony (for an additional charge). The ceremony consists of several women surrounding the table, singing a song, and pouring rice wine from a hollowed out horn into the mouths of the diners. They will also grab pieces of fish with chopsticks and tease the diners, encouraging them to try and catch a bite. It's a playful tradition with female singers and male diners, but anybody at the table can participate.

Although there are hundreds of bars in the city (many of them hidden away in large buildings) the main concentration is on Qianling dong lu (黔灵东路). These bars are very local, generally offering Snow beer and Budweiser as their only beer options.

Sleep
, at South Ruijin Road 25.
 * Guizhou Karst HotelNearby the Peoples Square and face the Nanming River. A 4-star hotel with high quality service.
 * Guizhou Karst HotelNearby the Peoples Square and face the Nanming River. A 4-star hotel with high quality service.
 * Guizhou Karst HotelNearby the Peoples Square and face the Nanming River. A 4-star hotel with high quality service.

Learn
Guiyang has four main universities that host foreign teachers and students, as well as a few others. The three universities that have foreign students are Guizhou University (贵州大学), Guizhou Normal University (贵州师范大学), and Guizhou University of Nationalities (贵州民族学院). These three universities all have foreign teachers usually teaching English. Guiyang University (贵阳学院) also employs foreign teachers.

Work
Guizhou, like much of central and western China, lags far behind the dynamic coast in economic, industrial and social development. As a result, the main opportunities for work are teaching English. Several private schools in the area are licensed to hire foreigners: English First, Aston, Tian Tian, and Interlingua being among the most established.

For those not interested in teaching, Guiyang is home to several industrial and high-technology development zones seeking foreign investment, partnerships and experts. These include the industrial and enterprise zone in the south (Xiaohe Qu near Guizhou Normal University) and the Guiyang High-Technology Development Zone in the north. The main industries are aerospace technology and heavy industry.

Go next
Huangguoshu Waterfalls - The waterfalls are on the Baishui River, 15 km From the Zhenning county seat, and 137 km from Guiyang. It measures 74 m high and 81 m wide and boasts the biggest of its kind in China and also one of the world's most magnificent. The water billows down into the Xiniu Pool, sending up great spray and creating rainbows. A visit to Huangguoshu Waterfalls is a must for all visitors to Guizhou. It has become a holiday resort where you can forget the outside world and enjoy fabulous scenes and sights, including limestone caves and stone forests. The trip is also tainted with ethnic flavor with a visit to the local Buoyei people. Local legend says that in ancient times the sky suddenly cracked open, causing part of the Milky Way to smash to pieces on the ground. The largest piece hung on the verge of a cliff and became the Huangguoshu Waterfalls, which, in the process of crashing down the cliff, broke into several dozen cascades. When the Milky Way fell, numerous stars came down with it, which were converted into stone forests, crystal-clear pools, bridges and caves. Admission to the park is steep but the scenery is spectacular. The falls can be reached by direct bus from the bus station next to the train station on Zunyi Lu.

Zhijin Cave - As the national scenic spot, the cave is in Guanzhai Township, northeast of Zhijin and  from Guiyang. It is a gigantic karst cave with the length over 10 km. Although it looks still primitive in appearance, its karst landform is imposing and magnificent. Covering an area over 74 acres, its widest part is 574 feet and its height exceeds 328 feet. The cave consists of 47 halls and 150 scenic spots in its 11 scenic areas.

Longgong Cave (Dragon Palace Cave) - As the national scenic spot, the cave is in Matou Township, 130 km from Guiyang. Longgong refers to over 90 karst caves linked up like a chain of beads that run through 20 hilltops. Within these 4,000-metre-long caves there are also underground karst lakes. Tourists can enter Longgong Caves at Tianchi (Heavenly Pool) by taking a small boat.

Red Maple Lake - As a national scenic resort, Red Maple Lake is located in the suburb of Qingzhen, 33 km from Guiyang. Covering 57.2 km2, it is the largest man-made lake on the Guizhou Plateau. The lake consists of the North and South lakes. It's renowned for the 170 isles, the numerous caves, the clear water and the quiet bays. Folklore of the Dong and Miao people is demonstrated in the resort.

Wuyang River - Lying in Zhenyuan and Shibing counties, the national scenic area consists of Zhuwan Gorge in Shibing and the Three Gorges in Zhenyuan and extends 50 km. Wuyang River is famous for it picturesque mountain scenes and crystal-clear water. It flows among mountains in eastern Guizhou, creating secluded caves, gurgling springs, rugged rocks and spectacular waterfalls.

Xijiang - Ethnic Minority (Miao) village which is about an hour and a half journey from kaili. There are beautiful rice terraces on which you can stroll and climb. all the way to a breathtaking panorama of the surrounding paddy fields. Jump across huge drains, admire the rich variety of wild flowers, and take in the smell of cow dung and fertilizer along the way. There will also be daily performances, centred on wedding rituals, conducted in the morning and evening (17:00) which are free to watch. You do have to pay an entrance fee to get into the village though. Stay overnight at one of the hotels on the hill, so that you can open your windows to a vista of fog-shrouded houses on the hills opposite you stretching into the distance.

Museum of Great Leap Forward Relics (大跃进遗存物博物馆) - In the county seat of Sansui County (三穗县), about 270 km from Guiyang, this is the only museum in China dedicated to preserving the memory of Mao Zedong's disastrous Great Leap Forward campaign. Sansui can be reached in just over an hour by high-speed train from Guiyang North Station. The museum is at 13 Xinsui Street (新穗街13号), about 4 km by road from Sansui Station.

FAST (Five hundred meters Aperture Spherical Telescope, 中国天眼) - in Pingtang County (平塘县), about 170 km from Guiyang. You can come here to watch and visit, It is the largest single-aperture spherical radio telescope in the world.

title: Guiyang


text:
Guizhou

Guizhou (贵州; Gùizhōu) is a province in southwestern China.

Cities

 * — tourist center and home of the Huangguoshu Waterfalls
 * — the capital
 * — gateway to the Miao and Dong minority regions
 * — called the Cool City, for its low average summer temperature
 * — communist pilgrimage site, and also administratively covers the town of Maotai, which produces China's national liquor
 * — county level city in southwest China with rich karst topography such as Maling Valley, Ten Thousand Peaks Forest, etc.
 * — home of Cao Hai Lake, known for its 170+ bird species including the black-necked crane
 * — has the title of "the first county of Miao nationality in the world"
 * — gateway to Mount Fanjing (Fanjingshan)
 * — historic city in the county of the same name, surrounded by karst scenery

Other destinations

 * Site of Hailongtun Tusi Fortress, a castle ruin which is one of three Tusi sites on the UNESCO World Heritage List
 * Fanjingshan, a part of the Wuling mountain range which due to its unique geology and diverse wildlife was inscribed on the world heritage list in 2018
 * Miao and Dong villages:, a Miao village 20 km south of Kaili; (西江), large traditional Miao village located in LeiGongshan national park; and  (肇兴), idyllic Dong minority town nestling in a valley
 * Xiaoqikong and Daqikong, two marvelously lush scenic areas in Libo County

 * Huangguoshu Falls: one of the famous waterfalls in China, located in Anshun City, 77.8 meters high and 101 meters wide, it is known as "the first waterfall in China".

Libo small seven holes: located in Libo County, is a magnificent Karst landscape scenic spot, with seven natural bridge caves, as well as streams, waterfalls and landscape beauty.

 * Guiyang Qingyan ancient town: this is a well-preserved Ming and Qing ancient buildings, with a long history and unique cultural customs.

 * Zhaoxing Dong Zhai: Zhaoxing Village, located in southeast Guizhou, is one of the representative places of Dong culture. Tourists can enjoy the architecture, clothing, song and dance and customs of Dong nationality.

 * Qianhu Miao Village in southeastern Guizhou: this is a large Miao settlement, famous for its spectacular wooden buildings, rich Miao culture and beautiful natural environment.

 * Guiyang Huaxi Park: it is a scenic spot in Guiyang City, with beautiful lakes, mountains and gardens, suitable for leisure walk and enjoy the natural beauty.

 * p Tongren Wanfeng Forest: this place is famous for its strange Karst landform, with countless stone peaks, caverns and streams, which is very suitable for adventure and photography enthusiasts.

Zhenyuan, an ancient town in southern Guizhou, preserves the architectural style of the Ming and Qing dynasties, such as the ancient city walls, hanging feet and temples, and is a cultural resort with a long history.

 * Guiyang Qianling Mountain Park: this is a large urban park, with majestic Buddhist temples, mountain scenery and garden landscape, to provide quiet leisure places for tourists.

Understand
Guizhou, located in the southwest of China, is a mountainous and multi-ethnic province.

History
1. Ancient history: Guizhou area as early as the 11th century BC Spring and Autumn Warring States period recorded human activities.In ancient times, there were many independent tribes and princes in this area, such as Guizhou, Dethronation, Miao and Chu.

2. Qin and Han Dynasties: Guizhou was gradually unified in the Qin and Han Dynasties and became a part of the Chinese Empire.This period witnessed the road construction, the extension of the system of farming, and the spread of culture.

3. Tang and Song Dynasties: In the Tang and Song Dynasties, Guizhou became an important area of military and cultural exchanges.The karst landform and mountains and rivers of Guizhou are praised as "the famous places in Guizhou".

4. Ming and Qing Dynasties: In Ming and Qing Dynasties, great changes took place in Guizhou.After the establishment of the Qing Dynasty, it became a multi-ethnic settlement, and the cultures of all ethnic groups were integrated in this period.At the same time, Guizhou became the birthplace of many anti-Qing uprising.

5. Modern History: Guizhou also experienced a series of political and social changes in modern history.In the early 20th century, Guizhou became one of the main bases of the Kuomintang.After the founding of the People's Republic of China in 1949, Guizhou became a province of China.

Climate
The climate of Guizhou is changeable, because of the difference of terrain, there are mountain climate and subtropical climate. It is warm and humid in summer and relatively cold in winter. It is suitable for summer travel.

Talk
The local dialect of Guizhou is similar to that of Sichuan. Few can understand English. Standard Mandarin can be understood by most although in the countryside and smaller cities most people may only be able to reply in their local dialect. There are some unique terms in the various regional dialects in Guizhou; however, the most noticeable differences are in the local pronunciation, which differs widely from standard Mandarin.

Get in
By air from Shanghai the journey takes around two and a half hours and from Hong Kong one and a half hours. The journey is about 1800 km. The airport for domestic flights was completed in 2013. The international airport, however, is using the old facility which is small with only a few gates and no shops except for tobacco. Seems that there are only a few international flights to and from Guiyang, mainly Hong Kong, Taiwan, Macao and Seoul.

Get around
Local roads in Guiyang city are in good condition and taxis are plentiful. However, to travel from one city to another and then further into the countryside, roads can be in very poor condition, or only under construction (travelling together with bulldozers...). Taxis in smaller cities tend to gather several travellers into one car in order to compensate for the very low fares (¥3 as a start fare for the first 2.5 km in 2013). In some smaller cities, the meter is hardly ever used and there are "fixed" fares from the station to the city, from the city to some center of interests.... So, be prepared to be flexible in that respect. Trains are quite reliable, although not as comfortable as the newest high speed trains in richer provinces.

See
The area is mountainous, and there are many opportunities for hiking. The paths can be slippery due to animal excrement and the bushes can be thorny. There is much beautiful scenery including valley views and distant horizons. One of the greatest attractions to Guizhou is the Huangguoshu Waterfall, known to be the biggest waterfall in China. The eastern area of Guizhou is very green and you can see many rice fields in terrace as well as go through numerous small charming villages where you can also rest in guest houses. The China Danxia landscape near Chisui are inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Do
There are many walks and places to visit in the vicinity of the capital Guiyang.

Guizhou is home to many ethnic minorities (mainly the Miao and the Dong). Festivals are held all year round, and are great ways to experience the local customs.

Itineraries
Hong Kong to Kunming overland passes through the southern part portion of the province.

Eat
There is a wide variety of foods available, with the local taste being for spicy dishes. The food can be very tasty. The hot pot can be excellent. Another specialty is the sour spicy fish soup that can be tasted in many cities in Guizhou. Barbecue on the streets is a local favorite as are as all sorts of rice noodles and pasta, mixed with ingredients such as pickled vegetables.

Drink
Moutai and home made rice wine made by villagers.

Stay safe
While hiking in the mountains, watch out for the narrow ledges. Also, always remember sunscreen and water while enjoying the countryside and watching wildlife.

title: Guizhou


text:
Gujarat

Gujarat (Gujarati: ગુજરાત) is a state in the western region of India. Lothal, near to Ahmedabad and Dholavira, near to Kutch are sites of a Harappan (Indus) civilisation, which existed more than 4,000 years ago. Gujarat is known for the Stepped Wells, Jain Temples, Asiatic Lion and business-oriented people.

Cities
Below is a selection of nine of Gujarat's most populated cities. Other cities can be found under their specific regions.

 * — administrative capital of Gujarat, city of Akshardham Temple and the second planned Green City.

 * — Manchester of the East, commercial capital of Gujarat, home of Mahatma Gandhi’s Ashram.

 * — busy industrial centre, base for journeys to nearby sites.

 * — a historical city and has a long history of kings and empires.

 * — home to the world’s largest Grass-Root Refinery complex.

 * — city of ancient Ashokan Stone Edicts.

 * — former capital of the state of Saraushtra.

 * — Diamond City, famous for mouth watering Surati food.

 * (Baroda) — Cultured City, Oxford of Gujarat.

Other destinations

 * — open grassland that is home to blackbuck and nilgais (Blue bison)

 * — a . Old Islamic cities with fortress and Jain temples

 * — a very important and supported habitat for the last remaining population of wild Asiatic lions

 * — a Marine National Park, Gulf of Kutch

Understand
Gujarat is a dazzlingly diverse state that shakes up the know-it-all Indophile, and reveals treasures hidden from the tourist hordes. Gujaratis are famous for their thrift and entrepreneurship. Encounter an Indian anywhere, from Wall Street to Wellington, and there’s a good chance they hail from this wealthy, resourceful state. There are many significant sites of the God Krishna’s life along the coast of Saurashtra. With 20% of the country's total industrial output, Gujarat is also the most industrialised state in India.

People
About 89% of the population of Gujarat are Hindus. Muslims account for 9% and Jains 1% of the population. Most of the Gujarati people are strict vegetarians. Amongst Hindus the deity of Krishna is famously worshipped in his form of Shrinathji throughout Gujarat. Since Gujarat is a heavily industrialised state, there are many factory jobs that have attracted migrants from other parts of India.

Another notable community in Gujarat is the Siddi community, who are comprised of people of African descent who have lived in India for many generations. Despite now speaking Gujarati as their first language, many African customs continue to be preserved in the community.

Weather
The winters are mild, pleasant and dry, with average daytime temperatures around 24 °C (80 °F) and nights around 10 °C (51 °F) with 100 % sunny days and clear nights.

The summers are extremely hot and dry with day temperatures around 46 °C (115 °F) and at night no lower than 34 °C (90 °F) with sunshine.

At the time just before the Monsoon, the temperatures are similar to summer but with high humidity which makes the air feel hotter. Relief comes when the monsoon season starts around mid June. The day temperatures are lower to around 38 °C (100 °F) but humidity is very high and nights are around 27 °C (80 °F).

Winter (October to January) is best time to travel in Gujarat.

Talk
The official language of the state is Gujarati. It is the native language of virtually everyone living in the state.

Hindi is widely understood and used in everyday business. For many Gujaratis, it is a second (sometimes a third) language. If you don't know any Gujarati, don't despair; you can get around easily using only Hindi.

English is taught in schools and is understood in major cities; however, proficiency in the language is virtually non-existent outside of major cities and in rural areas.

Gujaratis are often lampooned by people in other parts of India for their English language skills — for example, they normally pronounce "snake" as "snack", and they normally pronounce "push" as "puss". The Gujaratis themselves even admit that the clichés about their English language skills are true. The two main reasons behind this: a poor educational system and limited access to English-language education.

By plane

 * Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport (SVPIA) airport is in the North Zone of Ahmedabad. Ahmedabad is the only international airport in Gujarat with regular flights to and from London, New York, Chicago, Singapore, Muscat, Kuwait, Doha (Qatar), Sharjah and Dubai. Domestic flights connect to Mumbai (Bombay), Delhi, Chennai, Hyderabad, Bhopal, Indore and Kolkata (Calcutta).
 * Vadodara Airport is a major airport in Gujarat with daily flights to Delhi and Mumbai; and hopping flights to Bangalore (Bengaluru), Hyderabad, and Kolkata.

 * Surat Airport is a domestic airport in the Magdalla area of Surat. Air India has daily flights to and from Delhi. SpiceJet operates daily from Surat to Mumbai and Delhi.

Flights into smaller airports of Bhavnagar, Bhuj, Diu, Jamnagar, Porbandar, Keshod, Surat and Rajkot connect through Mumbai.

By car

 * From Delhi, Agra and other places in the Plains: Take the National Highway 48 (NH 48).
 * From Mumbai, Jaipur, Jodhpur and other places in Western India: Take the National Highway 48 (NH 48).
 * From Nagpur and other places in Vidarbha: Take the National Highway 53 (NH 53).
 * From Indore, Bhopal and other places in Central India: Take the National Highway 47 (NH 47).

Gujarat has 1,572 km of National Highway network.

By train
India has very big rail network. Indian Railways has a 5,890 km rail network in Gujarat.
 * There are trains from and to Mumbai (500 km) and New Delhi (1000 km) and other big cities of India several times a day going to the main cities of North-Centre-South Gujarat, including Ahmedabad, Vadodara and Surat.
 * Cities of Saurashtra and Kutch, including Bhavnagar, Bhuj, Jamnagar, Junagadh, Surendranagar, Porbandar, Kandla and Rajkot, are connected via Mumbai.

By road
Most people in Gujarat travel by government buses like GSRTC, private buses or by taxi. These are excellent modes of transport as the roads are among the best in India. Check at your hotel if you want a travel agent for private buses.

By train
Ahmedabad, Vadodara, Surat, Rajkot, Bhavnagar, Bhuj, Jamnagar, Junagadh, Surendranagar, Porbandar and Kandla are big stations in the Indian Railways network.

Itineraries

 * Buddhist Route (4 Day / 3 Night) - Start from Bhavnagar – Day one - Buddhist Caves at Talaja - Night (Junagadh) – Day two - Ashoka Rock Edicts, Buddhist Caves at Junagadh and  Upperkot Fort – Night (Bhuj) -  Day three - Buddhist caves in Siyot village via Lakhpat  - Night (Bhuj)- Day Four  - Shopping at Ahmedabad and/or Exit for Rajasthan or Delhi or Mumbai.
 * International Tourist Route (4 Day / 3 Night) - Start from Ahmedabad- Day one – Mahatma Gandhi Ashram - Calico Museum of Textiles – Night (Ahmedabad or Utelia Palace Hotel or Velavadar National Park guest house) – Day Two - Velavadar National Park - Palitana – Night (Bhavnagar or Diu) – Day Three - Relax on beaches and resorts of Diu or The Somnath temple – Junagadh –Night (Junagadh or Rajkot or Rann Riders Resort) – Day Four - Rann Riders Resort or Shopping or Exit for Rajasthan or Delhi or Mumbai.

Do

 * Travel by Royal Orient Train The Royal Orient train is one of the world's most exotic trains. It is an experience that takes you back to the times of Rajas and Maharajas. You get to explore two of the most fascinating and culturally rich states of India, Gujarat and Rajasthan. The train travel 7 days through Delhi - Chittaurgarh - Udaipur - Junagarh - Dilwara - Palitana - Ahmedabad - Jaipur and back to Delhi
 * Travel by man driven Boat in Nal Sarovar (lake) Bird Sanctuary spread over 120 km² to see over 250 species of migrated birds from Siberia and Europe. Best time to visit Nal Sarovar is Between November and February. In April Birds start to leave the lake.
 * Safari in Blackbuck National Park  to see group of jumping Black Bucks from every parts of the park. There is no wild animal in park, it is also fun to trail or Camping in park.
 * Hiking on the Shatrunjaya hill and biking on Hastagiri to see devotion of Jain. There are in total 863 marble temples (largest cluster of temples in India) on Shatrunjaya hill
 * Safari in Gir Forest National Park to see Remaining Asiatic Lions in the world.

Fairs and festivals

 * Bhadra Purnima-Bhadra Purnima is one of the biggest festivals of Gujarat, popularly known as the Ambaji Bhadra Purnima. This is because the festival is celebrated at Ambaji, a village which derives its name from the shrine that is here. The village is situated at the foothills of Mount Aravalli.
 * Dangs Darbar-Dangs Darbar is an annual festival celebrated in the Dangs district, in the Saputara Hills of India. The district is inhabited by the tribal people, who have lived in the region's woods and highlands since times memorial. This makes Dangs Darbar, essentially a tribal festival of Gujarat.
 * Kutch Mahotsav-Kutch Mahotsav serves as the guided tour of the Kutch region of Gujarat. It is organized by the Tourism Corporation of Gujarat and lasts for six day. This tour takes you around the venerated places in Kutch.
 * Modhera Dance Festival-Modhera dance festival is one of the major festivals organised in the state of Gujarat. It is primarily a dance festival and showcases the various traditional dance forms of the region.
 * Rath Yatra-Rath Yatra is a huge festival celebrated in Gujarat. Rath means chariot and Yatra means journey. As the name suggests, during the festival, huge wooden floats are prepared and the idols of Lord Krishna, Lord Balarama and Goddess Subhadra are placed in them.
 * The Uttarayan- The one-day Uttarayan is held every year on 14 January across Gujarat. The aerodynamic skill, devotion and ingenuity that goes into the kite making and flying is almost a religion in itself, honed to the level of an art form, though it looks deceptively simple.

Buy
There are Gujarati Handicraft Development Corporation showrooms selling Gujarati and Kutchhy handicrafts in Ahmedabad, Vadodara, Bhavnagar, Rajkot, and Surat.

Eat
Gujarat is heaven for vegetarians. Approximately 80% of Gujaratis eat vegetarian foods only. Hundreds of varieties of lacto-vegetarian foods are offered across Gujarat. Rotli (chapati/puri), shaak (subzi/vegetables/curries), mithai (sweets), rice and dal are parts of a Gujarati Thali in restaurants. Finding non-vegetarian restaurants in Gujarat can be difficult. Chicken and mutton are the most common kinds of meat, but only occasionally eaten.

Drink
On paper, Gujarat is one of the few states in India that curtails the sale and distribution of alcoholic beverages. But in reality, the law is weakly enforced and it is quite common for people to illegally distribute alcohol.

To purchase alcohol, you must apply for a permit. You may do so online or at the place where you stay. You may only buy and drink alcoholic beverages at licensed locations.

Stay safe
Gujarat is a relatively safe state compared to the rest of India. It has a low crime-rate compared to the Plains, although pickpockets are not uncommon. For emergencies, you can dial 100 for police assistance.

Public drunkenness is illegal and frowned upon. It is punishable by imprisonment, fines, or both.

Respect
Gujaratis generally like to personalise their business relationships and may go to various lengths to impress you or be well-acquainted with you. While it may be seen as off-putting in other parts of the world, Gujaratis generally consider it important to build trust and rapport with the people around them. Try not to brush them off or dismiss their efforts in getting to know you better.

The terms "bhai" (for men) and "behn" (for women) are used to address people you are close to.

Try to learn, or at least make an attempt to learn a few words of the local language, Gujarati. In so doing, you will endear yourself to the locals.

title: Gujarat


text:
Gujarati phrasebook

Gujarati (ગુજરાતી) is the main language of the Indian state of Gujarat and one of the official languages of India. It is also one of the main languages spoken in Indian immigrant communities around the world. This language holds the third place among the fastest growing languages of India, along with Meitei (Manipuri), following Hindi (first place) and Kashmiri (second place) according to 2011 census data.

Basics

 * How are you? (formal): ( Kem chho? )
 * How are you? (informal): ( Kem chhe? )
 * Fine, thank you. :  (Saras/Saru, aabhar )
 * What is your name? : ( Tammaru Naam su Che? (Pronounced: Tuh-maru naam su che )
 * My name is ______ . :  ______ . (  Maru naam ______ chhe.)
 * Nice to meet you. :  ( Tamne maline anand thaiyo (Pronounced: Tuhm-nay mull-ine Aah-nand Tha-eeyo )
 * Thanks. : ( dhanyaawaad; Dhuhn-Ya-Vaad )
 * You're welcome. : ( Tamaru Swaagat che)
 * Yes. : ( Haa. )
 * No. : ( Naa. )
 * Excuse me (getting attention) : (Māpha karaśō)
 * Excuse me (begging pardon) : ( Maaf Karjo. (Pronounced: Maaf kur-jo) )
 * I'm sorry. : ( Manne Maaf Karo[please forgive me] (Pronounced: Muh-nay Maa Kuh-Ro )
 * Goodbye : ( Aavjo[lit. come] (Pronounced: Aav-jo )
 * Goodbye (informal) :  (pachi maliye (see you later )
 * I can't speak Gujarati [well]. : [ ]. (Hu Sarkhi rite ?????? boli nathi sakto[male]/sakti[female])
 * Do you speak English? : (Tamme Angreji Bolo Cho?. (Pronounced: Tuh-may Un-greji Bo-lee Sha-ko Cho)
 * Is there someone here who speaks English? : ( Ahheya koi Angreji Bolva vallu che (Pronounced: Ahee-ya Koi Un-greji Bol-va Va-lu Che? )
 * Help! : ( Madad Karo (Pronounced: Muh-dud Kuh-Roh))
 * Look out! : ( Sambhalo (Pronounced:Sum-Bhaalo!)
 * Yesterday. : ( Gay-Cale (Pronounced:Gay-Ca-lag)
 * Tomorrow. : (Cale (Pronounced:Ca-Lay)
 * Good morning. : ( Su Prabhat (Pronounced: Soo Pruh-Bhaat. )
 * Good evening. : (Shub Sham)
 * Good night. : ( Shub Ratri (Pronounced: Shoe-bh Raa-tree.)
 * Good night (to sleep) : ( Sui Javo (Pronounced:Soo-e Jaa  )
 * I don't understand. : ( Manne samaj nathi padtee (Pronounced:Muh-Nay Sa-muj Nuh-thee Pud-tee.)
 * Where is the toilet? : (Sauchalay kya che ? (Pronounced: Sau-Cha-Lay Kya che?)
 * I love you : "huun tane prem karuu chuun" OR"Hu Tane Pyaar Karu chu." OR "oo tane prem karu chu"
 * I miss you : "tuun yaadh aave chhe"
 * Happy Birthday: "janm din muubaarak"

Problems

 * Leave me alone : (Mane ekali/ekalo muki do )
 * Don't touch me! : (Mane adasho nahi )
 * I'll call the police. : ( Hu Police ne bolavish )
 * I need your help. : ( Mane tamari madad joyie che )
 * I'm lost. : ( Hu Bhuli padi /Bhulo padiyo chu )
 * I lost my bag. : ( Me mari bag khoyi nakhi che )

Numbers

 * Zero : shoonya
 * One : ek
 * Two : beh
 * Three : thrun
 * Four : chaar
 * Five : panch
 * Six : chhah
 * Seven : saat
 * Eight : aath
 * Nine : nauv
 * Ten : dhus
 * 20 : vees
 * 50 : panchas
 * 60
 * saith
 * 70
 * sinter
 * 80
 * aesi
 * 90
 * neu
 * 100: So [Pronounce as 'Saw']
 * 200 : BeSo
 * 300 : TranSo
 * 400 : ChaarSo
 * 500 : PanchSo
 * 600 : ChhaSo
 * 700 : SaatSo
 * 800 : AathSo
 * 900 : Nauvso
 * 1000 : Ek Hajaar

Time
O'clock 1 o'clock-ek vaagyo chhe-literally "It has rung one" 2 o'clock-be vaagya chhe 3 o'clock-tran vaagya chhe 4 o'clock-chaar vaagya chhe 5 o'clock-paanch vaagya chhe 6 o'clock-chhah vaagya chhe 7 o'clock-saat vaagya chhe 8 o'clock-aatth vaagya chhe 9 o'clock-nauv vaagya chhe 10 o'clock-dus vaagya chhe 11 o'clock-agyaar vaagya chhe 12 o'clock-baarah vaagya chhe

Quarter past the hour: 1.15-savaa(avoid saying savaa ek) 2.15-savaa be 3.15-savaa tran 4.15-savaa chaar 5.15-savaa paanch 6.15-savaa chhah 7.15-savaa saat 8.15-savaa aatth 9.15-savaa nauv 10.15-savaa dus 11.15-savaa agyar 12.15-savaa baarh

Half past the hour (the r in saara is a special sound not easily written in English and needs to be heard, otherwise it may possibly sound like a rude word): 1.30-doddh (avoid saying saara ek) 2.30-addhi (avoid saying saara be) 3.30-saara tran 4.30-saara char 5.30-saara paanch 6.30-saara chhah 7.30-saara saat 8.30-saara aatth 9.30-saara nauv 10.30-saara dus 11.30-saara agyar 12.30-saara baarah

Quarter to the hour (The n in pona is very nasal and has no direct written equivalent in English and must be heard if it is to be repeated correctly): 1.45-pona be 2.45-pona tran 3.45-pona chaar 4.45-pona paanch 5.45-pons chhah 6.45-pona saat 7.45-pona aatth 8.45-pona nauv 9.45-pona dus 10.45-pona agyar 11.45-pona baarah 12.45-pono

Clock time
Five or ten minute increments before or after the hour or quarter past or half past or a quarter to positions are generally seen to be enough to describe time in Gujarati, although with digital clocks, you may use exact minutes.

Pona baar MA paanch is five minutes to a quarter to 12 with the MA suggesting before and paanch meaning 5 minutes, so this phrase says 5 minutes to a quarter to twelve.

Addhi ne paanch is five minutes past 2.30 with the NE suggesting AND, and the paanch meaning five minutes so this means five minutes past two thirty.

Dodh ne paanch is five minutes past 1.30 with the NE suggesting AND, and the paanch meaning five minutes so this means five minutes past one thirty.

 * 1.05 : Ek ne paanch-Lit: one and five
 * 1.10 : Savaa ma paanch-lit: five minutes before a quarter past one
 * 1.15 : Savaa ma : quarter past one
 * 2.20 : Savaa be ne paanch-Five minutes after a quarter past two
 * 3.25 : Saara tran ma paanch-Five minutes to half past three
 * 3.35 : Saara tran ne paanch-Five minutes past half past three
 * 4.40 : Pona paanch ma paanch-Five minutes to a quarter to Five
 * 4.45 : Pona paanch- quarter to Five
 * 4.50 : Pona paanch ne paanch-Five minutes past a quarter to five
 * 4.55 : Paanch ma paanch-Five minutes before five

Days

 * Monday : Somvar
 * Tuesday : Mangalvar
 * Wednesday : Budhvar
 * Thursday : Guruvar
 * Friday : Shukravar
 * Saturday : Shanivar
 * Sunday : Ravivar

Months

 * January : Doi
 * February : Garunoichiori
 * March : Shi
 * April : Suid
 * May : Karsu
 * June : (...)
 * July : (...)
 * August : (...)
 * September : (...)
 * October : (...)
 * November : (...)
 * December : (...)

Writing time and date
ugi tori

Colors

 * Black : Kalu/Kalo/karo
 * White : Saafed
 * Red : Laal
 * Yellow : Peelu/peelo
 * Blue : Bhuro
 * Pink : Gulabi
 * Green : Leelu/leelo

Orange
Narangi

Purple

Jaambli

Gold

Sona

Numbers

 * 1 : ek
 * 2 : beh
 * 3 : thrun
 * 4 : char
 * 5 : panch
 * 6 : chhah
 * 7 : saat
 * 8 : aath
 * 9 : nav
 * 10 : dhus
 * 11 : agyar
 * 12 : bar
 * 13 : ter
 * 14 : chowd
 * 15 : punder
 * 16 : sol
 * 17 : sattar
 * 18 : adhaar
 * 19 : og-nees
 * 20 : vees
 * 21 :ekvees
 * 22 :bavees
 * 23 :trevees

24
Chovees

25

Pachees

Directions
East = Purva

West = Pashchim

North = Uttar

South = Daxin

North-East=Ishan

south-East=Agni

South-West=Nairutya

North-west=Vayavya

Up = Uppar

Down = Niche

Left = Dabi Baju

Right = Jamni Baju

Lodging
kali pooth

Money
Rupees = Rupia Paisa

1/20 = 5 paisa or panchiyu (discontinue)

1/10 = 10 paisa or dashiyu (discontinue)

1/5 = 20 paisa or visiyu (discontinue)

1/4 = 25 paisa or pavli or char aana

1/2 = 50 paisa or aath aana or pachas paisa

3/4 = 75 paisa or bar aana or pono rupiyo

Eating
Eating: khavanu Water : panee

Bread : Rotali, Bhakhari

FRUIT: Apple: Suferjen Tomato: Tametu Mango: Keri (kay-dee)

VEGETABLES: Potato: Bataka or Bateta Carrot: Gaajar

Stylist word
Sandeep is coming soon- sandeep tuk samay ma aavse

i know ? - hu jan to hato  / mane khabr hati

Shopping
Kharidi

Driving
Car: Gad-ee

Authority
Hukum or Rajya

authority means hakk, adhikar. {exp. you have an authority of signatory when i m not in town, you can sign for me - jyare hu shaher ma na hou tyare tamne sahi karvano hakk/ adhikar chhe.}[something like that]

Relations
Mother = Ma, Maata

Father = Baapuji, Pita, Pappa

Sister = Ben (e.g. Cheralbhen)

Brother = Bhai (e.g. Jayanbhai)

Paternal Grandmother = Dadi, Baa

Paternal Grandfather = Dada

Maternal Grandmother = Nani

Maternal Grandfather = Nana

brother's wife = bhabhi

sister's husband = jijaji

Wife = Patni

Husband = Pati

Mother-in-law = Sasuji

Father-in-law = Sasra

Paternal Uncle (Father's brother) - Kaka

Paternal Aunt (Father's brother's wife) - Kaki

Paternal Aunt - Father's Sister - Fai, faiba or Foi (phoi)

Paternal Uncle - Father's Sister's husband - Fua (phua)

Maternal Uncle - (Mom's brother) - Mama

Maternal Aunt - (Mom's brother's wife) - Mami

Maternal Aunt - (Mom's sister) - Maasi

Maternal Uncle - (Mom's sister's husband) - Maasa

Friend - mitra, dostaar(saheli is special word for girls)

Grandmother/Grandma - Ba

title: Gujarati phrasebook


text:
Gujar Khan

Gujar Khan (گوجرخان) is a city in the Rawalpindi District of Punjab, in Pakistan. It benefits from natural resources in the sense of petroleum and gas and its population of around 75000 is growing rapidly.

Get in
Gujar Khan is easily reachable by road, as the N5 runs right through. The city is situated about 55 kilometres southeast of Pakistan's capital, Islamabad and about 220 km away from Lahore.

See

Buy
==Eat= مونگ پھلی

Go next

 * Ranjali is a beautiful village in the area.

title: Gujar Khan


text:
Gujranwala

Gujranwala (Punjabi and Urdu: گوجرانوالہ) is a major industrial city in Punjab, Pakistan. It is on GT Road at the distance of 56 miles from Lahore.

Understand
Gujranwala is famous as the city of wrestlers. The city and wrestling run neck to neck. It has produced famous wrestlers of the sub-continent, who have proved their skill and strength. This city is proud to attain fame in sub-continent in this behalf with grand titles ever won by any city of the world. Before the independence of Pakistan The Great Gama was the unbeatable champion of Indo-Pak sub continent, but a Gujranwala Wrestler Raheem Sultani wala wrestled twice with the Great Gama and won the title of "Rustum Hind" or "The Lion Of India". The famous Wrestlers (grapplers) were: Rahim Bux Phelwan Sultani wala (Rustum Hind), Younus Phelwan (Sitar-e-Pakistan), Acha Phelwan (Sher-e-Pakistan) and many more were there who entitled the city as the "City of Wrestlers" or "Phelwana da shehur.

Weather
Gujranwala is a hot, dusty city and the combination of the two may reduce visibility in the summer. In April through June, temperatures regularly top 40°C, meaning that proper hydration is of the utmost importance. In winter there can be seasonal fog; on particularly foggy days, it can be difficult to see across the street. If you happen to be traveling in or out of city during the winters, be aware of fog-related flight delays. Drink only bottled water so you may avoid any water-related illness. Keep yourself covered in summers to avoid a heat stroke. Drink a lot of water - 3 litres a day - particularly in the summer

Get in
Gujranwala is a major centre of rail, highway and river transportation.Tourists can find old steam engines frequently, and enjoy rickshaws and chingchis to reach narrow street of clothing market/Bazar. Beautiful painted buses run on the road and painting on trucks and buses, is another indigenous form of art performed in Pakistan. With its all colorful floral patterns, depiction of human heroes with creative aspect ratios, calligraphy of poetic verses and driver's words of wisdom, this form of art is truly a part of Pakistani transport tradition. You can find it all in Gujranwala. The city has a dry port for the export of local products to the rest of the world. The major transporter is City tour.

By road
The city is less than forty minutes' drive from Lahore, the capital of Punjab and three hours drive from Islamabad, the capital of Pakistan.

By rail

There are also excellent rail links with major cities in Pakistan including Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad, Peshawar etc. Gujranwala has convenient connections to Lahore and Sialkot airports. The city is in a great location and easy to get to from almost anywhere in the country. The city is served directly by the motorway providing fast links to the rest of the country.

Get around
Gujranwala is an extremely accessible city, benefiting from excellent road and rail links. Getting around the city is really easy. It has a bus system and students can travel on the buses to any place in the city. It's simple to visit places further.

The crackling of a rickshaw often breaks the silence of the night. There are some rickshaws whose engine sound resembles the burst of a Kalashnikov. In Gujranwala, this mode of transport is very popular among all classes, directly or indirectly, thousands of families are dependent on them. Conversations with rickshaw drivers can be revealing as it gives one an insight into their lives — their hardships, meagre earnings, problems with police and passengers, hopes, patriotism and views on politics.Most rickshaw drivers appear rude. This behaviour is less due to their working conditions — smoke, noise, traffic jams, economic pressures.

Old Town
The core of Gujrunwala has some relics from its Sikh and British Raj times. Prior to all this, the Mughals and Sikhs had used a defensive wall around the city, but this has largely been demolished.

Do
The city has several cinema halls like Zinco Multiplex. Catch a movie at any one of the halls all of which are air conditioned and well maintained. The best cinema halls are located in Zimco and Kasmir Mehal. best hall is and second is Roxy.
 *  Gujranwala Business Center
 *  Boat Point, Peoples Colony, a good place for a riverside picnic. Locals bring chilled mangoes and watermelons to cool off in the summertime.
 * Cinema

Buy

 *  King's Mall  a good place for shopping and hang out spot, inaugurated in November 2016. One feature of this shopping mall is that people can dine while shopping. There are fast food outlets and a cinema. Famous clothes outlets are Breeze and dinner's, Junaid jamshed, endrobe, monark.
 * Satellite Town Market
 * Model Town Market has a mini food market. You can have fast food here in the evening.
 * Wapda Town Market is known for all famous clothing brands, which are situated here. You should get a parking and then walk around the whole market.
 * Bank More Cantt Market
 *  Butta Plaza offers you a mobile market
 * Rail Bazaar Rail Bazaar is the oldest bazaar of Gujranwala, yet it has coped with the changing times by introducing new trends in business. Today it can be considered as one of the best business centres of Gujranwala.just like any down town or high street transport inside market not supposed to come down.

Eat
No trip to Gujranwala can be complete without visiting at least one of its many enticing restaurants. Gujranwala is the foremost name in kabab & barbecue, the latter being one of the most unique aspect of this city.
 * Food Street A small food street with name of Liberty Market is also establish in Gujranwala. Renowned restaurant like Hot Grill restaurant, Quick Pizza Hut and Fry Master are providing high services. After Shebaz Tikka Shop it's the busiest food area in Gujranwala.
 *  Shelton Hotel besides these traditional spots, Shelton Hotel has been providing % different types of cuisine since 1987 in Gujranwala, and also providing banquet and other hotel services.
 *  Royal Garden In 2002, Royal Garden Hotel started its operations in Gujranwala. This restaurant also provides variety of cuisine along with restaurant services.
 * Marian Hotel Marian hotel was brought a great change in traditional and continental cuisine in Oct. 2006, This restaurant also provides the same services as Royal Garden Hotel does but it has created different through its environment which is modern but with a traditional artistic touch.
 *  Hotel Global Village Hotel Global Village is also a great name in traditional and continental cuisine. It has facilities of restaurant as well as Marriage Hall along with a beautiful Marriage Lawn. Hotel Global Village situated near Rahwali Cantt opposite DC Colony, a famous modern housing colony at G T road N5.
 *  Fast Junk Food Many small restaurant have also started there operations in Gujranwala in last five years. Among those restaurants famous names are Salva Restaurant, Chanab Rutt, Usmania Restaurant, etc., there are also many fast food outlets in fried chicken such as HFC, AFC and in pizza KIng Pizzaetc, whose branches are spread all over the city.
 *  Picking Picking is new addition in cuisine market of gujranwala, and other sea food specialist are Sardar Restaurant and Meraj Deen have been serving their Chinese stuff to their loyal customers. Their Pakistani continental also grabbing market share.
 * Ghanni kay Pai Ganni kay pai once in a lifetime you should eat, from across the Pakistan, families come to eat here
 * Shabaz Tika You'll find a variety of dishes, including grilled foods, Batair, Tikka, Chiray (sparrow), rice dishes, curry, and everyone's favourite, desserts here. Its menu offers a combination of continental food, local cuisine and dessert. The focus being the main entrées on the desi menu; curries, kebabs, barbecue dishes, naans chicken dishes. Good service.
 * Allah Rakha (at Sialkoti Darwaza) is famous for its chicken karahi & seekh kabab (ground beef grilled on skewers marinated with aromatic herbs and succulent spices), grilled goat chops, and dal fry with fresh cilantro and green peppers.
 *  Briyani Express is new addition in Gujranwala traditional food. Rice was fluffy and tempting blended with saucy chicken. However, its standards have decreased a lot especially in Lahore. There is usually no sitting place and the sometimes the rice do not have enough masala in it and are usually non spicy.

Drink
This drink is a very nutritious and very good for every one.
 *  Badamo ki Sardai is a traditional summer drink of Punjab which has cool effect on your body. There is a sardai shop on pasrur road. It was a different kind of drink shop, in hygiene and taste side. Drinks in all color were on front shelf of the shop. The taste was, heavenly flavoured and divinely delicious, with out pick up a chilled glass of sardai or thandai, no trip is complete widout visit here kind of phrase can be use for this place. They create an attractive environment in which customers can enjoy their products like alaichi sherbet and marraba.each product gives one unique taste that never fails to please – that the best part of this shop's magic.
 * Sialkoti Gate

Lots of food shops serving fish, samosa, sweets, and tikkay chiray at just few step further to Sialkoti Gate and throw a fun street in middle of the city as well. Sialkoti Gate is a centre of traditional Pakistani food and there was a lot on offer for every taste. The site is surrounded by food shops and places like Anarkali Bazaar lahore and other narrow street bazaar. There are some chicken charga shops with excellent food such as grilled batair and the grilled chicken, Kabab, chicken katakat, fried fish, chicken boti and mutton biryani. The bar-b-Q looked mouth-watering as well but no room to try it. For those with a sweet tooth, there was much in the dessert section to delight jalaibi, gulab jaman, kheer, ice cream, Someone in our group was having it with a hot gulab jamun and swore it tasted better that way. Although ambiance is similar with other bazaars of city in portraying chaos and pell mell.
 * Chatti Ki Lassi

Sleep
Mughal Mahal Hotel, on Grand Trunk Road (N5) south of downtown. Here you can try the high tea or buffet, gazing from the rooftop, or possibly even seeing a local wedding. +92 55 4299107

Stay safe
As the city is crowded and the driving is wild in this city. It is very easy to get into a street fight.

Go next

 * Kamoke
 * Naushara Virkan
 * Wazirabad

Do not miss to go to Emin abad a historical and well preserved village with pre partition Hawelis Temples and GuruDawaras

title: Gujranwala


text:
Gujrat

Gujrat (Punjabi and Urdu: گُجرات), is a major industrial city in Punjab, Pakistan.

Understand
It is the centre of an ancient district of the same name between two famous rivers, the Jhelum and Chenab. The district is bounded on the northeast by Mirpur, on the northwest by the River Jhelum which separates it from Jhelum District, on the east and southeast by the Chenab River, separating it from the districts of Gujranwala and Sialkot, and on the West by Mandi Bahauddin. District Gujrat is spread over an area of 3,192 km², and it includes historic villages and towns such as Jalalpur Jattan, Chakdina, Karnana, Kunjah, Sehna and Lalamusa.

By road
Gujrat is on the bank of the Chenab River, about 120 km (75 miles) north of Lahore. The Grand Trunk Road passes through Gujrat city and you can reach Gujrat either from Lahore in two hours or from Rawalpindi/Islamabad in three hours. The city is surrounded by many villages which supply a significant labor to the local market.

By train
Trains pass through Gujrat on their way to Peshawar and Karachi.

By plane
Sialkot International Airport (SKT) 41 km away from Gujrat There are daily flights from most major cities in Pakistan as well as from regional hubs.

See
There are many historical buildings and ruins in and around Gujrat. The nearby towns of Jalalpur Jattan, Pindi Miani, Shadiwal, Kalra, Tanda, Adowal, Gandra Kalan, Kotla, Dinga, Kunjah and many more have historical buildings and ruins.
 * The Grand Trunk Road (commonly abbreviated as G.T. road) built by emperor Sher Shah Suri also passes through Gujrat. The road still exists, along with its period stone wall.
 * Four main gates
 * Four main gates

Buy

 * Pace A good shopping mall in town on main G.T. Rd.
 * Alena Shopping Mall

Eat

 * AFC G.T. Rd.
 * Chicken Dabu G.T. Rd.

Go next

 * Kharian
 * Sarai Alamgir

title: Gujrat


text:
Gulangyu

Gulangyu (鼓浪屿  Kó͘-lōng-sū in Minnan, Gǔlàngyǔ in Mandarin) is an island in Xiamen, a few minutes by ferry from downtown. It has a population around 17,000 and an area of about 2 km² (500 acres). It was a foreign enclave from the 1840s until the 1930s, and is now both a residential suburb and a major tourist area. In 2017 it was inscribed as a. Cars, motorcycles and bicycles are banned, making the island both quieter and safer than almost anywhere else in China. The whole island is basically pedestrians-only, though golfcart-type electric vehicles serve as a sort of bus on a circular route around the island near the coast. The only vehicles powered by internal combustion are a few firetrucks. Everything from fruit to bricks to furniture gets moved about by handcart; you often see shirtless Chinese men hauling enormous loads of supplies up and down steep hills.

The island is extremely popular with Chinese tourists, who arrive in droves, often in large tour groups. You can spot the guides because they hold up brightly coloured flags for their flock to follow. Some reports claim it is the most-visited site on the UNESCO list. Although the island is quite scenic, the noisy crowds can be quite annoying at times. Gulangyu is probably best avoided during major Chinese holidays and may be more pleasant during the week than on a weekend.

Understand
After the British victory in the First Opium War, Xiamen (then known as Amoy) became one of five "treaty ports" established by the Treaty of Nanjing in 1842, and Gulangyu became the main residential area for foreigners. As in other International Settlements in China, the population was always predominantly Chinese but the police, the legal system, quite a few residents, and much of the architecture were foreign. All thirteen of the foreign consulates were on Gulangyu, along with houses, churches, schools, parks and a hospital. Both foreign traders and wealthy Chinese built mansions, often with large gardens, and many commercial buildings were built as well.

Today the island is a major tourist area; many of the old colonial-era buildings have become restaurants or guesthouses, and there are many shops geared towards tourists.

Gulangyu, also known as Kulangsu after its Minnan pronunciation, is sometimes called "Piano Island" and one of its attractions is music; there have been pianos on the island since the first foreign residents arrived in the 1840s. It is quite common to hear piano music (usually recorded and usually classical) in the streets as you walk about. There has been a Piano Museum for over a century, and later an Organ Museum was built as well. Both have many instruments, some dating back to the 19th century, and both have recitals for the tourists.

Read
Some readers may know the place from Neal Stephenson's novel ReamDe ISBN 9780062191496; much of the story takes place in Xiamen and one character, the female British spy, has an apartment on Gulangyu. Those who do not know the novel might consider picking up a copy for on-the-road reading when heading for Xiamen.

Get in

Ferries open to visitors arrive in Gulangyu at either of two harbors: the more popular (三丘田 Sānqiūtián) in the east and the slightly more out-of-the-way  (内厝澳 Nèicuò'ào) in the west.

Tourist tickets for the ferry are more expensive than the tickets available for locals (¥80 for a round trip, 2024 price), and tickets are limited daily. Due to limited ticket quantities, you should buy your ticket online in advance if travelling during busy holiday seasons or the weekend. For example, if you were to arrive mid morning at Youlun Matou (邮轮码头) without having already purchased a ticket, it's possible you'll have to wait a few hours for a boat that has tickets available. Also: the tickets are return tickets, so be sure to hold on to your ticket after reaching Gulangyu! Return tickets are valid up to 20 days from the date of ticket purchase and can be used to leave the island from either of the harbors regardless of which one you arrived at. You must have your passport with you when buying tickets, so do not forget it.

Tourists can travel from 3 docks to the island, depending on the time of day:

1. During daytime: Ferry from Youlun Matou (邮轮码头), also known as (厦鼓码头), located several kilometers from the center of Xiamen/main tourist area. To get there from downtown/Zhongshan area/Lundu Matou, you can take bus b1 or the special Lundu Matou tourist bus (邮轮码头旅游快线). Ferry operating times are 07:10 until 17:30 (winter) or 18:30 (summer) to Gulangyu, and 07:20 until 17:40 (winter) or 18:40 (summer) from Gulangyu back to Youlun Matou. Ferries leave multiple times per hour. 2. At night: tourists can take the ferry directly from Terminal 2 (轮渡码头2号厅). This is the quickest option, yet still requires you to purchase a tourist ticket to get to the island. This service is called the Gulangyu 'Nighttime' service, and departs Lundu Matou from 17:50 (winter) or 18:50 (summer) until 06:30. Travelling from Gulangyu to Xiamen, services start 18:00 (winter) or 19:00 (winter) until 07:00. After midnight, there is only one service per hour.

3. Anytime: From the other side of Xiamen, on the mainland at (海沧嵩鼓码头). This ticket is only useful for visitors who are not already on Xiamen island. Tickets from this port are slightly cheaper at ¥30 for a return trip. Operating times are 07:30 until 17:50 (winter) or 19:00 (summer).

Ferry times change depending on the season (summer or winter). Summer season is from 1st June - 30th September. Winter season is from 1st October until 31st May.

Ferries may be restricted or changed during the typhoon season (around September-November) or during windy weather, so check in advance for any typhoon warnings.

Get around
Cars, motorcycles and bicycles are banned, but the island is small enough to walk around as long as one is physically able. It is, however, quite hilly. Walking about, there is quite a bit of nice colonial architecture to see, much of it tucked away on back streets.

There are golfcart-type battery-powered vehicles that run on a fixed route circumnavigating the island. Riding one of those around to the back (west side) of the island can be a good escape when the main tourist areas are crowded. Fare starting from the ferry terminal is a flat ¥10 for any distance. If you board elsewhere, then ¥10 gets you anywhere before the ferry terminal; to go beyond it you would need to pay again.

One can also hire a boat — on the Xiamen side, on Gulangyu at the docks near where the ferry comes in, or at another dock a bit north of that — for a ride around the island. This takes about an hour.

Starting from the ferry stop, most travellers either jump on a golfcart-bus for a tour or turn left onto Dragon Head Road (Longtou Lu), which is one of the main shopping streets and leads to the sights around Dragon Head Hill. An alternative is to walk straight ahead, heading inland; this gets you to a large map of the island, then to the local tourist information office (which has a left luggage service), to one of the few banks on the island, and to another shopping area. Off to the left as you walk inland are a set of steps which lead up into a pleasant area with several guesthouses and a number of restaurants.

See
A combo ticket can be bought on the island for ¥110 (2019), which gives entry to Bright Moon Garden, Shuzhuang Garden, Sunlight Rock (including cable car ride), the Piano Museum, the Organ Museum and the International Calligraphic Carving Art Gallery.

Other sights

The south end of the island also has some lovely gardens with a lot of various types of eucalyptus.

There are over 50 registered heritage properties on the island. Photos and descriptions of each one can be found on the official Gulangyu World Heritage Site website.

Do
There is a beach just south of the ferry stop and others around on the other side of the island. Try walking all the way around the island. The distance is about 4 km (2.5 miles) and there are good paths. If you decide to give up, just jump on a golfcart taxi; they circle the island near the coast, and come along quite often. Alternately, just ride a golfcart taxi or a boat around the island.

Get lost. Get away from the tour groups by getting lost in the back streets of Gulangyu which have some fascinating architecture. It is fairly easy to get lost, usually by wandering into a residential district. This can be confusing, especially if one does not speak the local language, Minnan Hua. There are an awful lot of narrow winding streets. However the island is fairly small, walking downhill will always get you to the coast, and there are paths and golfcart-type transport all along the coast, so getting lost is annoying at worst.

Buy
Items aimed at the tourist trade abound on Gulangyu — some amazingly tacky, some amazingly lovely, and more-or-less everything between.

As in any tourist area in Asia, many things are much cheaper than in western countries but asking prices tend to be high and bargaining is usually necessary. Gulangyu merchants have some excuse for high prices; they have to cover costs of transporting goods to the island. In general, things are more expensive on Gulangyu than in downtown Xiamen; on the other hand Gulangyu has a much broader range of tourist merchandise and a better selection on some items.

The two main shopping streets are Dragon Head Road (Longtou Lu) — which runs south near the shore from the ferry stop, off to your left as you arrive, to Dragon Head Hill or Sunlight Rock — and Quanzhou Road which is roughly parallel to that but further inland and on higher ground. There are many smaller streets with shops, mostly running off those two.

Shops along these streets sell mainly art and handicrafts. Items on offer include: beads, lacquer work, sculptures, pictures carved on stone, Chinese antiques, reproductions of Chinese antiques, jade, fake jade, other jewelry, silk and other clothing, and ceramics. There are also T-shirts, hats and other tourist merchandise, plus artists offering portraits or cartoons.

Eat
The island caters to tourists so there are lots of places to eat but many are not particularly good because the proprietors are not worried about attracting repeat business. Some are excellent, though. Expect to pay more than in Xiamen (¥100/meal for 2). If you enjoy seafood, you may be pleasantly surprised, as Gulang Yu's local cuisine tends to emphasize seafood. The streets are lined with restaurants and food stalls that sell a variety of such dishes (look for red plastic tubs of fresh seafood). If you're more interested in a sweeter snack, there's a great ice cream place near the ferry's drop off point. Prices are higher than in Xiamen.

Not far inland of the ferry stop is a large building with some interesting upmarket tourist shops and several restaurants including a large KFC on ground level and a place on the second floor that has reasonable food, good beer, and a patio with a fine view. There is a central courtyard that sometimes has acrobats, jugglers or musicians.

Near that is the main market for Gulangyu residents, mainly selling fruits, vegetables and seafood. Nothing is cooked, nobody speaks English, and some prices are higher than downtown Xiamen, but the place can be an adventure and a pile of fruit here will be cheaper than lunch in a restaurant.

Sleep
There are numerous places to stay on Gulangyu, mostly at moderate prices. As of 2018, many hotels in the area do not accept foreigners— make sure you book ahead of time and confirm that the hotel accepts foreigners before showing up. Near the ferry wharf there are several places within a stone's throw of each other. When you get off the ferry, walk straight. Immediately on your left, you will see a stone stairway leading to the top of a small hill. At the top, turn right onto Lujiao Road and you will find a youth hostel and several hotels.

Go next
For most travellers, the only place you can go from Gulangyu is back to Xiamen.

If you own or charter a boat, there are other choices but some caution is required. The Taiwan-controlled island of Kinmen is nearby and — while there has not been artillery fire across that strait since the 1970s, — both governments still consider the area sensitive and keep substantial military forces there.

title: Gulangyu


text:
Gulbene

Gulbene is a town (population about 9000) in Vidzeme, Latvia.

Get in
1188.lv provides up-to-date bus and train schedules, route planner and prices.

By bus
Several buses leave from Riga each day to Gulbene. Trip times vary, but it generally takes about 3 hr.

By train
There is a train connection between Gulbene and Riga, but fewer services run than by bus.

Get around
Exploring on foot is the preferred choice. The narrow gauge railway station is just 1 km north of the centre.

Eat
There are a number of cafés around town, including:

Sleep

 * Also, check out the following: http://www.visitgulbene.lv/piedavajums/guest-houses/

Go next

 * Alūksne – The destination of the narrow gauge train and located at the picturesque Lake Alūksne.
 * Cesvaine – This nearby village of is home to the eclectic 19th century Cesvaine Palace, and ruins of medieval castles. The oldest palace in the country, its magnificent landscapes of pine forests are cut by Gauja river.
 * Lake Lubānas – In the far southeastern corner of Vidzeme. The largest lake in Latvia by area, but also one of the shallowest ones with average depth just 3 m. A great place for windsurfing and under-ice fishing in winter.
 * Madona – A scenic town surrounded by hills, forests and lakes, and a winter sports centre.

title: Gulbene


text:
Gulf Breeze

Gulf Breeze is a city in the Florida Panhandle.

Understand
The small city is on a peninsula, with the Naval Live Oaks Reservation toward the base of the peninsula. Inlets of water to the Pensacola area are on the other sides of the city. The city is known for its low crime rate and quality of life, for which according to the National Research Center’s National Community Survey it is #1 (2021). The population of 7,000 is the wealthiest in the Pensacola metropolitan area.

By car
Gulf Breeze has three major points of entry. From Pensacola, on U.S. Highway 98 (also known as Gulf Breeze Parkway on the stretch between Pensacola Bay and Navarre) eastbound via the "Three Mile Bridge". From Navarre, Fort Walton Beach, Destin, or other points east on U.S. Highway 98 westbound through the Naval Live Oaks National Park; or thirdly, from Pensacola Beach or Navarre via northbound Florida State Road 399.

By bus
Gulf Breeze is served by Pensacola's bus transit system, ECAT. Lines 61 and 64 serve the town, and have service to both Pensacola and Pensacola Beach.

By plane
The primary airport for getting to Gulf Breeze is Pensacola International Airport, a roughly 20 minute drive from downtown Gulf Breeze. The airport is served by 21 destinations and 7 airlines. The flights are typically flown using smaller regional Embraer ERJ-145s, larger McDonnell Douglas MD-88s, and Boeing 737 Next Generations.

Go next

 * Gulf Islands National Seashore
 * Navarre
 * Pensacola Beach

title: Gulf Breeze


text:
Gulf Coast

There is more than one place called Gulf Coast:

Mexico
The Gulf coast of Mexico includes parts of the states of (north to south) Tamaulipas, Veracruz, Tabasco, Campeche and Yucatán.

Saudi Arabia

 * The east coast of Saudi Arabia is usually called the Gulf Coast, referring to the Persian Gulf; we cover it as part of the Eastern Province of the country.
 * The most common name for the west coast is "Red Sea Coast"; we cover it under Hejaz.

United States of America

 * Gulf Coast (Alabama)
 * Gulf Coast, Florida - A region along the Gulf of Mexico - see Southwest Florida.
 * Gulf Coast (Mississippi) - A region along the Gulf of Mexico in southern Mississippi.
 * Gulf Coast (Texas) - A region along the Gulf of Mexico in the state of Texas.

title: Gulf Coast


text:
Gulf Coast (Alabama)

Gulf Coast is a region in Alabama. It consists of Baldwin, Clarke, Conecuh, Escambia, Mobile, Monroe, Washington counties.

Cities

 * - home to Lambert's Cafe
 * - Gulf Coast beaches (part of Pleasure Island)
 * - Alabama's only major port and largest city near the Gulf
 * - Gulf Coast beaches (Part of Pleasure Island)
 * - home to Lambert's Cafe
 * - Gulf Coast beaches (part of Pleasure Island)
 * - Alabama's only major port and largest city near the Gulf
 * - Gulf Coast beaches (Part of Pleasure Island)
 * - Gulf Coast beaches (part of Pleasure Island)
 * - Alabama's only major port and largest city near the Gulf
 * - Gulf Coast beaches (Part of Pleasure Island)
 * - Gulf Coast beaches (Part of Pleasure Island)
 * - Gulf Coast beaches (Part of Pleasure Island)

Get in
Mobile Regional Airport offers flights from Atlanta, Charlotte, Dallas-Fort Worth, Houston-Intercontinental.

title: Gulf Coast (Alabama)


text:
Gulf Coast (Mississippi)

The Mississippi Gulf Coast is the southernmost region of Mississippi along the Gulf of Mexico.

Cities

 * - despite taking a hard hit from Hurricane Katrina, the town still has lots of charm and a local art scene.
 * - Mississippi's 2nd largest city is on the coast.
 * - Mississippi's 3rd largest city is inland, home to University of Southern Mississippi
 * - Mississippi's 2nd largest city is on the coast.
 * - Mississippi's 3rd largest city is inland, home to University of Southern Mississippi
 * - Mississippi's 2nd largest city is on the coast.
 * - Mississippi's 3rd largest city is inland, home to University of Southern Mississippi

By car

 * I-10.svg traverses the coast from west to east. It is the quickest way in coming from Baton Rouge, New Orleans, or Mobile. The cities along the Gulf Coast on US Hwy 90 are connected to I-10 through various north-south roads.
 * US 90.svg parallels the coastline, and offers a scenic drive of the beach, connecting the cities along the Gulf Coast.
 * I-59.svg passes through Hattiesburg, heading towards Slidell, LA to the southwest and Birmingham, AL to the northeast.
 * US 49.svg begins in Gulfport at the intersection of US 90.svg and extends north through Hattiesburg and on to Jackson.

By plane

 * Direct flights are available from Atlanta, Charlotte, Houston, Dallas, Nashville, Orlando, and seasonal flights from Minneapolis. The next nearest airport for commercial flights to the area is in New Orleans

See
The world's largest man-made beach stretches 26 miles from Pass Christian in the west, to Biloxi in the east.

Biloxi is well known for its lighthouse, as well as its many casinos. Gulfport, D'Iberville, Bay St. Louis, and Waveland also have casinos.

The barrier islands of Mississippi, 7 miles from the mainland, and part of Gulf Islands National Seashore, are home to diverse wildlife, white sand beaches, and turquoise water.

Beauvoir is an antebellum mansion in Biloxi, famous for being the final home of Confederate president Jefferson Davis.

Do

 * The casino resorts along the Gulf Coast of Mississippi are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. They offer slots, all types of tables, high limits and liberal rules. The resorts also offer buffets, fine dining, boutique shops, entertainment for children and headlining entertainment.
 * The Mississippi Sound and its associated bays are world class fisheries and draw in anglers from all over. Many fishing charters are located in harbors all along the coast.
 * The Ship Island Excursion is a ferry from Gulfport to Ship Island. Ship Island is home to Fort Massachusetts and is part of Gulf Islands National Seashore along with Cat Island, Horn Island, and Petit Bois Island.
 * Towns such as Ocean Springs, Pass Christian, and Bay Saint Louis are home to art galleries, boutique shops, and high end dining. These towns are great to visit if you wish to escape the somewhat hectic and loud atmosphere of the bigger cities on the coast.
 * Stennis Space Center is located in Hancock County off of Interstate 10.
 * The Mississippi Aquarium is set to open in the summer of 2020 in downtown Gulfport.
 * For a geologic anomaly (erosion basically), try the, also known as the Little Grand Canyon, it's on private land but still accessible from a parking area. The ruggedness is out of character with the flat surroundings.

title: Gulf Coast (Mississippi)


text:
Gulf Coast (Texas)

Texas' Gulf Coast stretches for hundreds of miles, from the Louisiana border to Brownsville on the Rio Grande. The beaches are excellent, and oil-rich cities like Houston make for fun nightlife, too.

Other destinations

 * - Resort town on Padre Island. Very popular spring break destination for university students.
 * - Town on the northern tip of Mustang Island.
 * - Just a ferry ride from Galveston Island

Itineraries

 * , from Houston along the coast to Corpus Christi.

Stay safe
Hurricanes frequently occur in the summer months. Check for local weather updates while in the area.

title: Gulf Coast (Texas)