text:
Bagamoyo

Bagamoyo is a town in Tanzania with a colonial history and an active art scene.

Understand
The most recent history has it as a terminal point on the coast for Arab trading caravans. It was also used as a holding point for slaves brought from the interior and awaiting transportation to Zanzibar. It was the capital of German East Africa from 1885 until 1890 when the capital was moved to Dar es Salaam; Bagomoyo has been in decline since then. Architecture of European origin is rarely maintained and thus slowly falling apart, while still often beautiful to see. The Arabic influence on local architecture is also significant.

There is a lot of poverty and unemployment in Bagamoyo, so beware of muggings and robberies. While the town is usually safe during the day, avoid walking outside late at night. It is also advisable to avoid the slum expands towards the east. Be very aware of people monitoring you while standing somewhere or sitting in a restaurant. Don't expect any help of the police, they don't care about you and even discourage you from opening a case. However, if you loudly scream for help, locals will quickly gather and help you. The Swahili word for thief is mwizi; shouting it will get you a lot of attention, but might get the thief into serious trouble (and often harm, sometimes even death), since self-justice is widespread in Tanzania. So think twice before doing so.

Get in
Situated 70 km on the main northern trunk from Dar es Salaam on a good tar-seal road.

 * Dar es Salaam/Mwenge (1½-2 hr, TSh 2,500). Plan extra during rush hour travels due to increased traffic towards Dar es Salaam.
 * Tanga via a newly build asphalt road.
 * Msata (non-sealed road). The road frequently gets unpassable after heavy rains.
 * Miandizi (non-sealed road).
 * Miandizi (non-sealed road).

While not advisable, you can take a dhow boat to Zanzibar (4-8 hr, TSh 5,000). Many locals travel that way since they cannot afford to take the ferry, but the sea may be rough and boats have sunk before. There have also been safe 'tourist' dhows operating in the past.

Get around
The city is pretty walkable, for longer distances or with luggage you can choose from a motorcycle pikipiki, bajaji (from TSh 1,500) or a taxi (from TSh 3,000). There are also local tour operators who will take you around local sites, and to and from Bagamoyo.

There are also several bike rental options which are a great way to go around or to some of the more distant sites. Bike quality varies but usually isn't all too great. Make sure your brakes work and that you have lights if you plan to drive during evening or night.

See

 * Architecture. Walk around the town in daylight and view the entrance portals of the homes which often display intricate carvings with Arabic influence. View the aging German buildings.

Do

 * History. Stand at the portal outside the old German headquarters from which many of the European explorers entered the hinterland, amongst them Burton, Speke and H.M. Stanley. Imagine the excitement as the caravans of men strode off to a land hetherto unknown to Europe.
 * Respect. Visit the Catholic mission north of the town. Pay homage to Dr. David Livingston whose body last rested here on African soil before being transported to London to be buried at Westminster Abbey.

Buy
There are some great locally owned shops with clothing, paintings, carvings, and jewelry that are easiest to find if you just wander about the village. Sometimes (esp. on the beaches) there will be locals with carvings or jewelry that will approach you and you can bargain for their items.

Eat
There’s plenty of the ubiquitous local food around, you can get rice/Ugali/Pilaw with a bit of meat and sauce from Tsh 1,500. Chips are mainly available in the evenings.

For western-style eatery you’re limited to the resorts along the coast to the north of the town, the Millenium Hotel or the famous Poa Poa restaurant.

Budget

 * Pop Juice Resthouse (double TSh 9,000), noisy.
 * Jangombe Resthouse across the road from the Pop Juice Resthouse, similar.
 * Vatican Resthouse near the bus stop.
 * Kiromo Guest House (double TSh 15,000), very clean and quiet.
 * Kizota Guest House next to the Kiromo Guest House

Splurge
A number of resorts are situated on the coast to the north of the town. The best is the Millennium Hotel next to the Bagamoyo College of Arts which is on the ocean near the centre of town.

Cope
Bagamoyo has 3G coverage with varying quality, there’s also some internet cafés.

Go next
The resorts open up to the pristine coastline which is not to be missed. If you wish to swim in a pool, the resorts have swimming pools which are much safer.

title: Bagamoyo


text:
Bagan

Bagan (Burmese ပုဂံ) is an area and archaeological site in the Central region of Myanmar, inscribed as a.

Understand
Bagan, also spelled Pagan, on the banks of the Ayeyarwady (Irrawaddy) River, is home to the largest and densest concentration of Buddhist temples, pagodas, stupas and ruins in the world, many dating from the 11th and 12th centuries. The shape and construction of each building is highly significant in Buddhism with each component taking on spiritual meaning.

When comparing this immense archaeological site to other archaeological gems of Southeast Asia, the Angkor sites, an analogy with food is apt: savouring the Angkor sites is like a Chinese Lauriat banquet where the temples are presented in grand and exquisite servings and takes a long time (about 10 to 15 minutes) to get from one to the next. Bagan is served up Spanish tapas-style, in small bite size servings, often in frequent intervals and near to each other.

What makes the temples look romantic is the process of graceful ageing. There are no windbreaks and occasional whirlwinds spawn loose dust particles that sandblast the temples. This has eroded the stucco coatings of the temples to reveal the underlying bricks, reddish, and golden brown when bathed in sunlight.

Erosion is a significant threat to this area, not only the wind chipping away the buildings' parging, but also water from the Ayeyarwady (Irrawaddy) River threatens the riverbanks. Strong river currents have already washed away half of the area of Old Bagan. It used to be a rectangular-shaped piece of enclave protected by a perimeter wall. Now the remaining triangular eastern half is exposed to the river.

Bagan has three main cities that draw the majority of tourists, (southwest of the main sights),  (northeast of the main sights) and  (just northwest of the main sights).

History
Bagan became powerful in the mid-9th century under King Anawratha, who unified Burma under Theravada Buddhism. It is estimated that as many as 13,000 temples and stupas once stood on this 42km2 plain in central Myanmar, and Marco Polo once described Bagan as a "gilded city alive with tinkling bells and the swishing sounds of monks' robes". Approximately 2,200 temples remain, in various states of disrepair. Some are large and well maintained, such as the Ananda Pahto, others are small tumbledown relics in the middle of overgrown grass. All sites are considered sacred, so when visiting, be respectful. Remove footwear and socks before entering or stepping onto them.

Bagan's golden age ended in 1287 when the kingdom and its capital city was invaded and sacked by the Mongols. Its population was reduced to a village that remained among the ruins of the once larger city. In 1998, this village and its inhabitants were forcibly relocated a few kilometres to the south of Bagan, forming "New Bagan" where accommodation is a handful of cheap, quaint, clean hotels, and religious centres.

Despite the majesty and importance of Bagan, UNESCO did at one conference opt to not include it on its World Heritage List, because some temples were rebuilt in an un-historic fashion. Nonetheless, the site is perhaps as impressive as the pyramids of Egypt: a dry, vast open landscape dominated entirely by votive architecture. Bagan was finally listed in 2019.

Get in
Most incoming travel for Bagan, except for some ferries, is through Nyaung U.

By bus

From specific destinations:
 * Mount Popa – 50 km southeast, local pickup, 1½ hr, 1,000-1,500 kyat.
 * Mandalay – Many comfortable bus links from Mandalay are available, many in the morning between 06:00 and 10:00, but there are also minibuses in the afternoon. 5-8 hr, 7–8,000 kyat. Private taxis can be rented for US$80-100.
 * Yangon – From Aung Mingalar Highway Bus Station morning and evening buses are available. Book sufficiently ahead, because this is a popular tourist route. 9-11 hr, 13–18,000 kyat (VIP 2+1 bus are about 20–33,000 kyat). Go at least 2 hours in advance from Yangon city centre (Sule paya) to Aung Mingalar Highway Bus Station by public bus number 36.
 * Inle Lake (Nyang Shwe) – Air conditioned buses are available for around 14,000 kyat and take 9 hr. In case no direct buses are available, try to catch the Taunggyi bus from the junction 12 km north of Inle at around 07:00. The same buses go through Kalaw; 7 hr from there.
 * Taunggyi – Buses from Taunggyi (06:00) go by (12 km) but not through Inle Lake (Nyang Shwe), but also through Kalaw (7 hr). 10 hr.
 * Pyay – Due to the new and direct highway between Yangon and Mandalay, it has become harder to catch a bus to Bagan from Pyay. However, there is one at 17:00 for 11,000 kyat or more, which takes about 10 hr to Bagan. You can also take one of the more frequent buses to Magway, and onward travel to Bagan from there for a similar price.
 * Magway – 6 hr, 4,000 kyat.
 * Mrauk U – There are no direct buses available, you will have to take a bus to Magway (09:00 & 12:00, 16 hr, 24–27,000 kyat) or to Mandalay (08:00 and 10:00) and get off at Magway or (19 hr, same price as Mandalay). From there it should be easy to catch onward transport, pickup/van or another bus. Check the bus does goes through there (Kyauk Padaung), especially when entering the bus in Mrauk U. Often the ticket seller and the bus are different companies, because passengers are shuffled around depending on the availability of buses. The Kyauk Padaung route is preferable, because Kyauk Padaung is very close to Bagan and you can visit Mount Popa on the way, to enjoy the sunrise in the temple on top of the cliff. 20 hr, 28,000 kyat.

By train

 * Train to Bagan from Mandalay 4.jpg

It is sometimes rough, smelly, slow and full of insects. Those train tickets are worth their prices. It can make for a nice story if you survive the night.

From specific destinations:
 * Yangon – Overnight trains run daily, departing about 16:00in Yangon and arriving about 09:00 in Bagan the next day. Fares are: upper class sleeper (16,500 kyat), upper class seat (12,000 kyat), ordinary class seat (4,500 kyat).
 * Mandalay – There are two direct train service running to Bagan daily, one departing at 07:20 and arriving at 18:45, and one departing at 21:00 and arriving at 04:59 the next day. Only the night train, which might not operate in the low season, has 1st class so check in advance. otherwise you will have limited room to store your stuff and uncomfortable seat in an incredibly crowded train. Tickets are available at the railway station for 1,800 kyat (1st class) and 1,300 (ordinary seat).
 * Pyay – The situation about the train from Pyay is unclear, and it may be seasonal only. Pyay is not along the regular Yangon to Bagan route. Prices should be around 5–7,000 kyat for upper class. However, there are three daily trains from Yangon (Kyemyindine or central) to Pyay for 3,900 kyat upper class.

By boat
The boat from and to Mandalay is at, 1.5 km northeast of Nyaung U market. Another point for ferries is the, 350 m northeast of Bu Paya.

Mandalay An (almost daily) "express" ferry service runs down the Ayeyarwady (Irrawaddy) from Mandalay to Bagan taking about 9-12 hr (or something like 30 km/h). Prices are US$35/40. It is more of a slow pleasure cruise than a rush express trip thanks to the priceless river views and fresh air, the glimpse of country life with locals waving at you. Keep in mind that the Ayeyarwady is an enormous river over a mile wide, so your views of the countryside may not be what you expect. Some travellers report disappointment in this regard. MGRG Express Ferry leaves Gawwein jetty in Mandalay at 07:00 and arrives in Bagan at 17:00 for US$45. River travel is not possible during the low water months of April to June. Bookings can be made through website, hotel, any travel agent, MTT (government tourist information) or the IWT office on 35th street in Mandalay a few hundred metres from the river.

A (very) slow local ferry covers the same route less frequently and costs 18,000 kyat. Takes between 14-17 hr, but is a great opportunity to mix with the locals. Apparently only runs Sunday and Wednesday, so check ahead. Plastic chairs are available to rent on board. Otherwise, bring something to sit on and a cover for the early hours (leaves around 05:00) and evening. Locals will be grateful to share theirs if you ask or if they see you shivering. Tickets are available directly on the boat or through any travel agent.

The boat disembarks at a jetty in Ngaung U. Just after leaving the jetty, there is the toll station to pay 25,000 kyat for the Bagan entry ticket.

Pyay Every Saturday at 05:30 there is also a local ferry from Pyay. It arrives Tuesday at 17:30 (48 hr) and costs 20,000 kyat. However, the arrival times seem to vary widely, so check ahead.

By plane

From the airport to New Bagan takes about 15–20 min by car, and usually this will cost around 7-10,000 kyat. Most mid-range and luxury hotels will provide free pickup from the airport.

Fees and permits
Before entering Bagan, if travelling by bus, you will be taken directly to a ticket booth (directly at the airport or on the road between the Highway Bus Terminal and the airport road junction, about 1 km from the Bus Terminal) where you present your passport and purchase a ticket to the whole archaeological site valid for 5 days from the day of purchase. The price is either US$20 or 25,000 kyat as of June 2019—you can choose either currency. The tickets are mostly only ever checked at Htilominlo Temple and Shwesandaw Temple. Some people believe that the money is not used for the site but goes directly into government pockets. If arriving by bus late at night, the driver may bypass the ticket booth.

Introduction
Nobody can be expected to visit more than 20 of these structures, let alone all 2,000. One day in Bagan is enough (even with a bicycle) to see all desired temples and sights if started at sunrise and finishes at sunset. A second day can be used to concentrate on specific sights or dos, like Mount Popa, a cruise across the river or just a relaxed hang-around somewhere in Old Bagan.

Most of the major temples have signs in English and are large enough to see, but a GPS may be required to find smaller temples.

"Disgraceful tourist behaviour" is banned and officials are becoming stricter. To the disappointment of some tourists climbing the "venerated" pagodas for the terrific views of the Bagan area is prohibited. Many locals find such activity to be disrespectful, and it risks damaging the fragile structures. As of May 2016, this restricts entry to the top in many of the pagodas except five. As a kind of compensation large dirt banks have been constructed for tourists to climb and see sunrise and sunset. There is also an enormous viewing tower.

Understand
The three basic building blocks of typical Bagan temples are stupa, block base, and vestibule. With a little practice, you can deconstruct the structures into their basic elements.

The simplest structure starts with a stupa shaped like a chess pawn. It holds a tiny sacred piece of human remains, relics of the Buddha, or a simple commemorative votive piece. Some stupas have a single pierced niche housing a Buddha icon, which can be viewed by the devotee from the outside.

As complexity increased the niches became bigger and no longer fit in the stupa, so a cube block base was introduced to accommodate the enlarged niche, which eventually became a cell. With the cube block casing the cell now fully defined, the stupa became its topping. Then, the cube's cell's entrance developed a vestibule, while the cell increased to two (back to back), eventually completing all the sides, one for each cardinal compass point (north-south-east-west), and eventually as it became bigger, a dark claustrophobic ambulatory connected all four cells.

Becoming more articulate and intricate, the cube's top taper into two to three tiers and are decorated with smaller corner spires on each while the vestibule protruded further and further out, the doorways decorated with pediments, some with upturned, others with downturned, teeth-like decoration. In others, the tiers became prominent to resemble a stepped pyramid. Meanwhile, the stupa became more elaborate as mouldings multiplied and sets of tiers and niches were introduced. From a simple gourd-shaped stupa, it evolved into a complex structure.

Itineraries
When planning for the best way to see Bagan, read all the comments and descriptions below, choose the sights you want to see and at what time, and put together a tour using the map view available at the top right, where all temples are listed based on their GPS marker. If you use an app like OsmAnd for your smartphone, you can transfer the GPS markers for offline use.

The following five sights are recommended to avoid the crowds but still have a lasting experience of Bagan: Law Ka Ou Shaung Temple (best for sunrise at 05:00), Old Bagan (just after sunrise before the crowds tramp in), Gawdaw Palin Temple (epic temple nowadays blocked by little shops and no 1st floor option anymore, but with a great view from the small forgotten temple to the south across the road), Pathada Temple (with an Buddha facing sunset, great opportunity to catch a Buddha outdoor in this area), Myauk Guni Temple (one of the best sunset view, find the hidden passage that lead to the 7th floor).

The following nine sights are a subjective but recommended selection of worthy and beautiful Bagan temples: Sein Nyet Sister Temples (very calm and uncrowded), Shwesandaw Pagoda (after sunrise when the crowds have dissipated), That Byin Nyu Temple (uncrowded and great view onto Ananda Temple), Ananda Temple (bypass Disneyland and enjoy the quiet courtyard), Sulamani Temple (very picturesque and great illumination by the sun), Thambula Temple (very bright, great for pictures), Dhamma Yangyi Temple (possibly largest, mysterious temple with a juicy gory history), Pyathadar Temple (great for sunset).

Main temples

Other temples

Buy
Bagan offers lacquer ware, cloth paintings, T-shirts, and other handicrafts. It is considered "friendly" to grant a customer 10% off, but it is common for initial prices to be double what you can get with bargaining. If you haggle, remember to keep it friendly.

Staff at the ticket booths sell pirated copies of George Orwell's Burmese Days for around US$5, though if you negotiate you can get them down to US$1. Maps are also sold for 1,000 kyat, although they are available free from hotels and guest houses. You can always ask for one even if you aren't a guest there.

There are several ATMs available in Nyaung U and New Bagan.

Eat
There are many places to eat in Old Bagan serving the traditional Burmese dishes, especially noodle soup. Some of the buffets are excellent; for about 1,500-2,000 kyat you can eat to your heart's content from dozens of different traditional dishes.

Drink
Too many options exist to list them all, and they are very volatile. Just looking around in the guest house and restaurant areas is the best option.

Sleep
Many accommodation options are available in New Bagan (around the roundabout) and Nyaung U (along the northern main road) - just walking around will give you plenty of options to chose from and to compare. Find many locations in OpenStreetMap (OsmAnd) or Google Maps. Most backpackers prefer New Bagan over Nyaung U. In Old Bagan, only some government-involved, luxury hotels remain. However, the latter is the one closest to most sights.

Book ahead in high season or during holidays; it can fill up quickly. In case you are unlucky, try Eden Motel II, they often make dorm-like room for mattresses on the second floor, when Bagan is very busy. Otherwise, in case you have a travel mattress and sleeping bag, opt for a night under the stars on the roof of (squared temple) 1-2 km outside of Nyaung U on the right side of the road west towards the temples - the staircase is in (one of) the outer walls to the north.

Prices can vary widely, even if quoted below, depending on the time of year and how you do the booking (email, website, direct). Certainly, the best option is to simply walk in at low season, ask for the price and see the room.

Stay safe

 * The best footwear to go about in this site is a pair of sandals. You'll want something easy to slip on and off as you go from temple to temple. Wearing socks and laced shoes is a hassle. Wearing shoes or socks in the temple and pagods grounds is disrespectful in Buddhism.
 * Be careful when you climb the stairs of less-visited temples, as bees sometimes make hives on or in the temples.
 * Headgear and sunscreen against the sun is also important. A wide brimmed hat is recommended or pack a collapsible umbrella like the locals.
 * Bring a bottle of water and when empty, refill it at the nearest travel agency or bank branch. If not squeamish, refill it at the water stations (with local ceramic jars as water containers) ubiquitously and strategically placed all around the town. Water in these temple jars is safe, as it is distilled water, and the jar keeps the water cool because it allows some evaporation. At less popular temples, check the water first to make sure the it is fresh.
 * Bagan is not for those with respiratory illnesses as the air is full of dust.
 * When using an e-bike, be careful of the sand. You can easily hydroplane on the loose dirt and crash, or get your bike stuck on hills. Go slow.
 * If you are using a bike for your personal tour, when you leave it by the gate, it is most likely that your bike will still be there when you get back. Bagan is a family-village setting and anyone who does harm to anybody will be known and humiliated, if not prosecuted.
 * Souvenir vendors, young and old, some as young as 6 years, are pros. They manipulate the heartstrings of the tourists using subtle and psychological techniques. They initially act as your bike minders, then guides, eventually revealing their true intentions. They sometimes even offer to visit you at your hotel if you aren't decided or you have no available cash. Don't fall for their friendliness, and be firm in your refusal before they get too attached to you even if you insist that you are only a tourist on budget. They are hard to shake off and will persist.
 * Do not fall for the "your hotel/guest house does not exist anymore" trick of many taxi drivers. They are just trying to drop you off at their friend's guesthouse or hotel where they will get a commission.
 * When you need to hire a taxi to get from the bus station to your hotel, make sure you get a good reasonable estimate of the price from a trustworthy source, such as your hotel, before you arrive. The drivers start by double or triple quoting the price for tourists, and this is especially so if you are arriving at an odd timing (22:00 - 05:00). The better option would be to ask your hotel to arrange transport.
 * Village children - If you stop on your e-bike to look at your map, be aware that children may approach you and twist the bike's accelerator, causing the bike to lurch forward. In addition, children have started to sell postcards that they've drawn. Do not buy from children: the more you buy the more you keep them out of school.

Go next
For questions regarding travel and potential restrictions, see in No.6 Quarter, Aung Myay Thar Ward, Nyaung U (+95-9-5019088).

By road
Many buses leave from Bagan Shwe Pyi Highway Bus Terminal south of Nyaung U into all directions. Best compare prices of the travel agents south of Nyaung U market or book directly at the Bus Terminal, try JJ express bus Nyaung U. Seldom buses are not full, and consequently do not allow for spontaneous travel, in which case you may want to try one of the many minibuses or vans, which can also be booked near Nyaung U Market with similar prices.

 * Mount Popa – This attraction is a temple on a cliff and a mountain and crater, which can be climbed for an even better view. From Mount Popa or Kyauk Padaung respectively, onward travel to Mandalay (via Meiktila), Pyay (via Magway) or Mrauk U (via Magway) is possible. Taking local transport southeast from Nyaung U by the Highway Bus Station, the price is about 1,000-1,500 kyat one-way for the 50 km.
 * Meiktila – This is more a transport hub for onward travel to Kalaw, Mandalay or Naypyidaw. The bus there costs 5,000 kyat.
 * Monywa – Famed for its two giant Buddhas (Boddhi Tataung), one standing and one lying, and the 500,000 Buddha sculptures Thanboddhay Pagoda. Local (non air-con) bus cost 3,000 kyat at the bus station (that is the locals' price so haggle) At hotels, they charge about 5,000 kyat. They can pick you up along the main road. The bus starts at 07:30, 09:00, 10:30 and 12:30. and takes about 3–4 hr, including several stops.
 * Mandalay – Famous for the U Bein Bridge, the Buddha face washing, as well as the nearby mountains by train. Buses to Mandalay leave at 08:00, 08:30. and in the afternoon, takes 6-8 hr and costs 7,500-15,000 kyat, bargain hard.
 * Kalaw, Inle Lake, Taunggyi – Inle Lake is one of the most famous sights in Myanmar, a giant lake only a few metres deep with many local villages around and in the lake. "Hiking" tours are very famous (but also very touristic) between Inle Lake and Kalaw. There are several daily buses (07:30 & 19:30) and at least one minibus at 20:00 to Kalaw and Inle Lake (Nyang Shwe) which cost around 12,000 kyat and take around 7-8 hr to Kalaw and a few more to reach Inle. Some do only stop along the highway, 12 km away from Inle Lake, and go further to Taunggyi (10 hr). The bus should pick you up from your hotel in Nyaung U. The ride up into the hills to Kalaw is steep and scenic, and the road quality is normal for Myanmar.
 * Pyay – Famous for the nearby and ancient Pyu city. The bus from the Bagan Shwe Pyi Highway Bus Terminal leaves at 13:30 and takes about 10 hr. From 11,000 kyat.
 * Magway – A transport hub for Mrauk U and Pyay. The bus from Bagan to Magway leaves the bus station near the airport at 10:00,12:30 and 23:30. Takes 6 hr and costs 4,000 kyat.
 * Mrauk U (& Sittwe) – Mrauk U is famous for its ancient sights of the last great kingdom and its traditional, surrounding Chin Villages. Starting from Bagan, you have to take a bus to Magway or Kyauk Padaung (southwest of Mt. Popa) and switch to the bus to Mrauk U (or Sittwe). In Magway, catch the bus near the bridge across the Irrawaddy river or in front of the K.H.M. Fashion store. In Kyauk Padaung, along the east to west main road. The bus from Magway or Kyauk Padaung to Mrauk U or Sittwe is about 25–27,000 kyat and takes 16-22 hr.
 * Yangon – Night buses to Yangon leave in the afternoon and arrive early in the morning. There is one day bus that departs Bagan at 09:00. Try to buy directly at the bus station or compare travel agents, prices at hotels can be higher. 13–18,000 kyat, 13 hr.

By train
It is rough, smelly and slow, and sometimes full of insects: however it's worth it.

 * Yangon – Overnight trains run daily, departing about 17:00. from Bagan and arriving about 10:30 in Yangon the following day. This route does not go through Pyay but by Naypyidaw and through Taungoo. Fares are: upper class sleeper 16,500 kyat, upper class seat, 12,000 kyat, ordinary class seat, 4,500 kyat.
 * Mandalay – There are two direct train service running to Mandalay daily, one departing at 04:00 and arriving at 15:55 and one departing at 07:00 and arriving at 14:30. Apparently, only the night train, which might not run in low season, has 1st class. So check ahead. Otherwise, you will have limited room to store your stuff, as well as cramped, uncomfortable sitting conditions in an incredibly crowded train. Tickets are 1,800 kyat (1st class) and 1,300 (ordinary seat).
 * Pyay – The situation about the train to Pyay is unclear. It could be seasonal, but there are reports of people that have used this train in the near past. Nevertheless, there are three daily trains from Pyay to Yangon for 3,900 kyat upper class. So, you could take the bus to Pyay and continue from there.

For more details see Seat61.com, or ask directly at the train station where you also will have to buy your ticket in advance.

By boat
Mandalay An (almost daily) "express" ferry service runs up the Ayeyarwady (Irrawaddy) from Bagan to Mandalay taking about 12 hr. Prices are US$35/40. It is more of a slow pleasure cruise than a rush express trip thanks to the priceless river views and fresh air, the glimpse of country life with locals waving at you, acknowledging your presence unobtrusively, and the overall soothing and relaxing atmosphere detached from misery and distant from poverty. MGRG Express Ferry leaves Nyaung U Jetty in Bagan at 06:00 and arrives in Mandalay at 18:00 for US$45. Bookings can be made through website, hotel, any travel agent or MTT (government tourist information).

A (very) slow local overnight ferry covers the same route less frequently and costs 18,000 kyat. Takes about 22 hr, but is a great opportunity to mix with the locals. Apparently only runs Monday and Thursday, so check ahead. Plastic chairs are available to rent on board. Otherwise, bring something to sit on and a good cover for the night. Tickets are available directly on the boat or through any travel agent.

Some have been disappointed by the views along the river due to the distance to the riverbank and the scenery in general.

Pyay Every Sunday at 17:30. there is also a local overnight ferry from Nyaung U Jetty to Pyay, arriving at 10:45.

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

title: Bagan


text:
Bagan Lalang

Bagan Lalang is a coastal town in the district of Sepang in Selangor, Malaysia.

Get in
1) Elite Highway (E6) head to KLIA (Kuala Lumpur International Airport)/LCCT (low cost carrier terminal)

2) Get off the elite at the KLIA extension highway toll – head towards LCCT – when you see a large mosque with blue dome on the left side of the road, turn left to continue on to the Sepang F1 Circuit / LCCT.

3) You will approach a large roundabout - take the exit at 12 o’clock - keep going straight all the way and as you are reaching the circuit, you will see a sign on your left that says Sepang Gold Coast - keep to your left and filter left before the traffic lights.

4) You now have the Sepang F1 Circuit on your right hand side keep going straight until you reach a + junction with a set of traffic lights. (Big sign on the hill says Ensteck) - Turn right at the lights and head towards Sepang town.

5) After turning right, you will be on the B48 -ba much smaller road with village housing on the right – keep going another 10 km to Sepang town itself . At shell station turn Right at the traffic lights to Sg Pelek town 6 km away.

6) Pass 1st set of lights and keeping right - go pass another set of lights for another 3 km until you see a sign for Sepang Gold Coast on the left.

Turn Right and drive for 4 km to the beach.

By plane
As Kuala Lumpur International Airport is located in Sepang, visitors can certainly fly from many oversea destinations directly into the district. For information on how to get to or away from the airport, see the "Get in - KLIA" section of the KL article.

By train
In a hurry? Train about to leave the airport station? Just jump on board - you can buy your ticket on arrival at KL Sentral at the same price.

Visitors to Sepang, including the Formula One circuit, can make use of the good rail links between Kuala Lumpur and KLIA - see the "Get in - KLIA" section of the KL article for details on the KLIA Ekspres and KLIA Transit high-speed train services which run between KL Sentral, Kuala Lumpur's transportation hub, and the airport where connections to other parts of Sepang can be made.

The KTM Komuter can also be used to reach Sepang. Catch a train to Nilai station in Negeri Sembilan. From there, Sepang Omnibus goes to locations within Sepang district, including KLIA, Salak Tinggi, Sepang (for connections to Port Dickson in Negeri Sembilan) and Sungai Pelek.

During race season, the simplest way is to catch the train from KL Sentral to KLIA and then transfer onto shuttle buses which will bring you to the circuit. The operator of KLA Ekspres and KLIA Transit has transport packages which cover the train ride and shuttle bus. See the KLIA Ekspres website or Sepang International Circuit's website.

On non-race days, it may be difficult to get to the circuit by public transport. Your best bet is by taxi.

By bus
You can also use the various bus connections between Kuala Lumpur and KLIA to reach Sepang - see the "Get in - KLIA" section of the KL article for details.

You could get a straight bus from the Nilai bus-station (nearest neighboring state of Selangor), take taxi (about 30 km) from KLIA airport or LCCT. It is more convenient to rent a car from the airport as the attractions from the surrounding areas are so irresistible to be neglected. On your way here, you will pass the Formula One Grand Prix and then just like watching the 'Back to the Future' movie, you will find the old Sepang town and after that the Pitaya (Dragon Fruit) farms offering you great deals of freshly hand-picked goodies!

Transnasional has a bus service from Kuala Lumpur's Puduraya bus terminal to Salak Tinggi, Sepang and Sungai Pelek. Transnasional also operates local buses from Sepang and Sungai Pelek to Tanjung Sepat and Banting in neighbouring Kuala Langat district. This journey passes through miles of palm oil plantations and several pretty Malay coastal villages.

Sepang Omnibus has direct local buses from Seremban in Negeri Sembilan to Sungai Pelek via Nilai, KLIA, Salak Tinggi and Sepang; and Seremban to Banting via Nilai, KLIA, Salak Tinggi and Bukit Changgang. It also runs a bus from Sungai Pelek to Port Dickson in Negeri Sembilan via Sepang. Towards the north, Sepang Omnibus operates buses from Sungai Pelek to Tanjung Sepat in neighbouring Kuala Langat district.

By taxi
Except from KLIA, local taxis operate from the main towns of the district. From KLIA, a coupon airport taxi system operates. See the "Get in - KLIA" section of the KL article for details. [edit] To Sepang International Circuit

On foot
The scenery is best fed in to your brain by walking along the well built pedestrian path. The clean surrounding is taken care of by Sepang's municipal council which does not tolerate any vandalism, and the safety and security of tourists are well served by the local police.

By motorbike
This is the best option for submitting your whole body parts to the freshly warm breeze air. Try asking the Hotel Sri Malaysia lobby for the availability or the locals.

By boat
Walk towards the end of the fresh wet market, you will find a small grocery shop beside a small wooden build coffee shop. There you could rent (by hours) any type of water transport available.Ranging from 2 capacity canoes to old fashioned wooden balanocarpus hemiispecies of tree.

See
See the most well preserved nature as its best when you engage yourself in the river tour (priced as low as RM50.00 / pax) at the jetty nearby the seafood restaurant and wet market.White sandy beach with fresh breeze of warm salty water always welcome your family bringing laughter and endless memory of heavenly body of the local, smiling faces.

At the mangrove you will be able to see otters (rare but it's true), also seen are the frequent migratory birds. Absolute fantastic place for the animal lovers.

Do

 * Fishing - is unrestricted here.
 * Sunbathe
 * Swim - when the water is safe (look for the flag: green denotes safe).
 * Tai-Chi
 * Kite flying
 * Canoeing
 * Cycling
 * Bird Watching

Buy
Do not forget these goodies, uniquely available here, and it will add more sense of romantic when you bring the memories back to your home.

 * Local printed T-shirts - embedded images of serene Bagan Lalang beach with wordings and tag lines that serves as time capsule. Wearing one of these would attract your hometown neighbors.
 * Precisely chipped crunchy crisps - locally grown potato-like fruit, bananas, jack fruit: all specially processed and ready for your consumption.
 * Hand-made kites - come with a variety of themes and images, characters that are very popular globally like SpongeBob, Spiderman, as well as the famous local hero - "Cicak Man".
 * Local cakes - try the mouth watering local made, small pieces of curry-puffs, coconut-puffs, famous roti canai at the series of food court available.

Eat
Freshly caught seafood at your own instructions. Ask the local chef to grill, boil, bake, fry, toast or even steam it. Choose your favorite species (while they are still alive) and only pay very cheap (compared to the nearest urban KL mega city).

Drink

 * Order a freshly cut open coconut fruit juice with add-ons such as red rose syrup, liquid sugar and ice cubes when you stop by at the nearest local owned stall.
 * Prior to your journey here, stop by at Sungai Pelek town, find a medicine shop beside the Bank Simpanan Nasional. It offers a wide range of excellent collections of liquor ranging from red wines to brandy.
 * Near the last junction before turning in to the Bagan Lalang main entrance, there's Indian shop lots that offers varieties of beers and bottled/canned carbonated soft drinks ready for your picnic.
 * Drop-by along the route (roadside) there are local stalls offering iced syrups with varieties of choice (sugar cane, Milo, etc.).

Sleep
Camping is permitted in front of the food stalls (pay toilets) and other facilities such as dust bins and gazebos available nearby. Chalets are also available, one belonging to the government's Fishery Department, and two that are privately owned.

title: Bagan Lalang


text:
Bagé

Bagé is in Rio Grande do Sul, southern Brazil.

Get in
If you want to get to Bage, you will need to catch an international flight to Brazil. When you arrive you will need to catch a national flight to Porto Alegre, and when you arrive there you will need to catch a taxi to the bus station, and then catch a bus to Bage which takes about 5 hours.

Get around
Every thing is pretty much in walking distance. Other wise there are buses and taxis. But most of the people in the city drive; Brazilian friends are always willing to give a friend a carona (ride).

See
Bage has a museum and other historical sites to see. Visit the cities website for more information.

Do
If you are a young person there are a lot of parties in Bage, some popular examples are Cielo and Spirit. The country club in Bage also has really big parties called Gitana. The social event of the year for young people in Bage is the Costume Party (festa da fantasia_ which is held near the start of the year. Bage also have several festivals including Gaucho festivals which you can find about on the city's website. And Bage is surrounded by vast country land, so visiting a farm is a good way to experience Gaucho (Brazilian cowboy) culture.

Buy
Bage has no mall (or shopping as people in Brazil call it), but it has streets full of shops. There are lots specialty stores, but also there are variety stores; for example Bage has several Obinos where they sell every thing from clothes to electronics. There are also markets hidden away near the central part of the city, so if you want to practice your bargaining skills you will need to ask locals where you can find the markets. There are plenty of clothes and shoe shops in Bage, and there are a variety of different shops where the prices range from cheap to expensive. The city also has a lot of gift shops with cute knick knacks. And be sure to visit a Gaucho store in Bage to check out all the cool Gaucho clothes and accessories.

Eat
In Bage eating churrasco (Brazilian BBQ) is very popular. Usually this is cooked at home, so if you have a friend in Bage visit them and have a churrasco at their house. Also if you go to a party at a friends house they might serve salgadinhos (little savory/pastry like snacks) and docinhos (little sweet snacks) which can be served both hot and cold. Bage also has many great places to eat so you can experience the bliss of Brazilian food. For a more informal setting there are lots of local eateries (try Santa Maria) where you can eat snacks such as cachorro quente (hot dogs), batata frita (french fries), and anything else yummy. Then there are plenty of restaurants where you can eat a buffet-style meal where they weigh your plate to charge you (try Kitchen) which is usually cheap. Bage also has several good pizza restaurants which you can ask the locals about. And for those with fancier taste, there are plenty of classy cafes which you can ask around about. Also when you walk around in Centro (the centre of the city) you will see people buying hot dogs or ice cream from street vendors which is fun.

Drink
If you visit Bage you will most definitely taste their green coloured tea called chimarrao (more commonly known as mate). It's probably not like anything that you've seen or tasted before. It is a green bitter tea made from a Brazilian plant called mate (mah-che) and they drink it out of a coia (a funny shaped cup) and bombar (metal straw). Sometimes the coia has patterns on it of something that represents the gaucho culture. Drinking mate is a custom in Rio Grande do Sul that most people drink every day and it is believed to be an accustomed taste (meaning you probably won't like it when you first try it). When someone in Bage offers you a mate say yes to be polite, and when you drink it you need to finish the whole cup because when you finish it will be filled up with more hot water and passed on to the next person and it goes around the circle. In RS friends may invite you to their house to tomar mate (to drink mate) and chat as a social activity. At parties in Bage the most popular drink is cerveja (beer) and occasionally people will drink caipirinha (cocktail: lemon, cachaca/vokda, ice and sugar) and some people drink Smirnoff.

Sleep
Bage has several hotels, including Hotel Obino.

Go next
You can get out the same way you got in, bus and plane.

title: Bagé


text:
Bagenalstown

Muine Bheag, meaning "small thicket", is the official name of the town known in English as Bagenalstown. It's in County Carlow and in 2016 it had a population of about 2,800.

Understand
It is far from obvious that this place was modelled on Versailles, yet such was the boast of "Lord" Walter Bagenal (1670-1745). All over 18th / 19th century Europe, plutocrats sat down with the interior designers and the pattern book and said "yes like that, only with better-endowed girls / boys on the bathroom fittings, and much more gilt, and leave out the guillotine." They've bequeathed us a series of glitzy bling palaces that briefy impress on arrival, but somehow don't linger in the memory. Many have succumbed to time but modern ones keep appearing - name the plutocrat of your choice.

The parallel was that Dublin like Paris was dirty, tumbledown and dangerous. Better to build anew, on a classical grid pattern, and make this the power-base: imagine the ambassadors, artists and supplicants that would gather at the gates of Dunleckney Manor while it transmuted into bling. But Bagenal was no Sun King, and all this was castles-in-the-air, as imaginary as his noble title. Later the story was told that he completed the courthouse only to abandon the project when the main coach route altered to bypass town. In truth even the courthouse was only erected about a century later, Bagenal talked big but didn't much improve his own manor let alone town, and Muine Bheag was destined to remain a "small thicket".

Get in
Expressway Bus 4 runs every couple of hours from Dublin airport, Busáras and Heuston station to Carlow, Leighlinbridge and Royal Oak, two hours, and continues to Gowran, Thomastown, Mullinavat and Waterford. Royal Oak is on R448 about 1.5 km west of Bagenalstown.

Kavanagh Bus 873 runs twice M-F from Carlow to Leighlinbridge, Bagenalstown (20 min), Paulstown and Kilkenny.

Trains run every 2-3 hours from Dublin Heuston via Newbridge, Kildare, Athy and Carlow, taking 75 min to Muine Bheag / Bagenalstown and continuing to Kilkenny, Thomastown and Waterford (another 90 min). A walk-up single from Dublin might be €12, see Irish Rail for timetables, fares and on-line tickets.

is southeast side of town centre.

By road from Dublin follow N7 / M7 onto M9 and take Exit 6 onto R448 south.

Get around
Town won't amuse you for long, so you need wheels for the outlying sights; a bike would do. For example Leighlinbridge is only 4 km north on R705, but the road is narrow and busy with no sidewalk, so walking would be tedious by day and hazardous at night. However you could bike or hike there along the canal towpath.

As of July 2021, no taxi firm is based in Bagenalstown, they'd have to come all the way out from Carlow.

See

 * is tucked away on Bachelor's Walk, turning its back on town but greeting the Bagenals as they rode between manor and magistrates' bench. It resembles a folly, with its NatWest cod-classical portico, commissioned in 1826; it included a bridewell or lock-up which was unused, proving unsuitable even for Irish offenders. The architect Robertson "used to be driven about in a wheel-barrow with a bottle of sherry; while that lasted he was always ready to direct the workmen, but when it was finished he was incapable of working any more." There was no access to the building or its gardens in 2021.
 * Dunleckney Manor the home of Walter Bagenal was built in the 17th century and re-modelled in the 1850s. It's nowadays a private residence, no tours, 1 km northeast of town and hidden behind trees.
 * is a ruin 3 km east of town. It was built circa 1300 but nothing is known of its occupation history - perhaps it was never completed. A courtyard is surrounded by stout walls, and you can access it free by the path from R724.
 * is another ruin of a Norman castle of circa 1300. All that's left is the twin-towered gatehouse and two small square corner towers behind. A 17th century ruined manor stands nearby. The ruins are on private land, you see enough from the lane.

Do

 * Bagenalstown Swimming Pool is 1 km north of town on R705. It's an open-air pool open Jun-Sept daily, next to the river; nominally it's heated but you might be wanting a hot drink later.
 * Boating: The River Barrow is navigable from tidal waters at New Ross all the way up to Athy, whence a canal links to the Grand Canal between Dublin and the Shannon. Check Waterways Ireland for current navigation status. At Bagenalstown there's a weir with a short bypass canal and lock system; there's no marina, serviced moorings or boat hire here, head for Leighlinbridge.
 * Fishing: there's coarse angling on the river, with good access around town.
 * Golf: there isn't a full course here. The Pitch & Putt is in McGrath Park north side of town.
 * Carrigbeg Riding School is on R724, east edge of town, tel +353 59 972 1962.

Buy

 * Aldi at the northeast corner of town is open M-F 09:00-22:00, Sa Su 09:00-21:00. In town there's also a SuperValu, Spar and Lidl.

Eat

 * Main St places include New World Chinese, Milano's takeaway, Roosters takeaway, and The Mr Chef Indian.

Drink

 * Main St bars include O'Kane's, Lawlor's and Coote Sylvester.
 * Brewery: O'Hara's are along R724 just east of the river. Tours are normally available but suspended in 2021.
 * Brewery: O'Hara's are along R724 just east of the river. Tours are normally available but suspended in 2021.

Connect
As of July 2021, Bagenalstown has 5G from Three, but only a scratchy mobile signal from Eir or Vodafone.

Go next

 * Carlow the county town has a white castle and a fine cathedral.
 * Kilkenny is a miniature medieval city.
 * Borris is a quiet country village near the Blackstairs mountains.

title: Bagenalstown


text:
Bagerhat

Bagerhat Sadar Upazila is a world heritage listed historical town in the Khulna Division of Bangladesh.

Khan Jahan Ali was a famous 15th century Sufi that settled here and established the town, originally known as Khalifatabad. His tomb and mosques constructed in his honor are the main reasons to visit. While none of the sites are likely to blow your socks off it's still a relatively peaceful village to walk around.

The local area code is 401.

Get in
Local buses run from Khulna regularly (Tk 30, 45 minutes). It's also connected to Mongla with only slightly more effort.

Get around
A cycle-rickshaw from the bus stand to the Shait Gumbad Mosque should run around Tk 10.

Unless you're in a hurry, you may want to just walk to the sights from the bus stand. Head west along the main road, a fairly nice walk save for the speedy honking buses. The first sight you'll come to is the dargah; start asking around for it after about 5 km or so. Shait Gumbad is another 2 km or so west along the main road from the dargah turnoff.

See

There are several other mosques along or just off the main road along the 5-km stretch west of the bus stand. Most are single domed and peaceful but not all that interesting unless you have a specific interest in mosques of this style and period.

Buy
There isn't much to buy here aside from some prayer beads and other little trinkets near the dargah.

Eat
The only options are some basic dhabas near the bus stand and near the dargah that serve the standards. - you may want to do a quick health inspection of the food before deciding on one.

Sleep
There's a couple of lackluster budget hotels just north of the bus stand near the river. There isn't much reason to stay the night here as the sights can be visited within an hour or two and Khulna and Mongla are both so close. If you must stay, pick one and it'll likely run around Tk 50-70 for a single or Tk 120 for a double.

Go next
Khodla Math - this Hindu temple is not so interesting but may be worth a sidetrip if you want to kill some time. It was built by a Brahman in the 17th century, but is not standing the test of time very well. It's near a village named Ayodhya, about 10km or so north of Bagerhat. A rickshaw will drop you in Jatrapur, from where it's about a 3 km ask-directions-as-you-go walk.

title: Bagerhat


text:
Baghdad

Baghdad (Arabic: بـغداد Baġdād) is the capital and largest city of Iraq, with an estimated population of 6-7 million. Once one of the greatest centres of learning and culture in the world, Baghdad was the capital of the Abbasid Caliphate during the Islamic Golden Age. It was once a favoured destination on the 'hippie trail' and is packed full of sights.

History
Founded in 762 CE by caliph al-Mansur as the Round City, Baghdad became the seat of the Abbasid Caliphate and grew into one of the largest scientific centres in the Islamic world during the Golden Age of Islam. Five centuries of peace came to an end in 1258 when the city was destroyed by the Mongols who advanced westwards. After a period of Ottoman rule, Baghdad became the capital of Iraq under a British protectorate and as an independent state. Since then, Baghdad has been subject to war, terrorist attacks and attempts at reconstruction.

By plane
The national airline is Iraqi Airways that operates a growing fleet of more than 30 modern jets. They mainly provide domestic flights but Iraqi Airways also offers flights to numerous international destinations, including a few routes from Europe. Numerous other operators in the Middle East also fly to Baghdad, with daily flights from most regional hubs. There are also a few low cost airlines such as FlyBaghdad that have flights to Baghdad. The best way to travel from Europe is either with Austrian or Turkish Airlines. They operate several direct flights per week from Vienna respectively daily from Istanbul. For those working for Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) in Iraq, there are charter airlines operating into Baghdad.

The frequent sandstorms that hit the area can obscure visibility and cause flights to be turned away. It is not unusual for commercial flights to make it all the way to BIAP, and then turn around and return to their origin due to limited visibility on the runway.

By train
Nightly train services are available from Basra, arriving early morning. Prices range between 10,000 dinars for a couchette to 25,000 dinars for first-class. Trains run from Fallujah once daily and Samarra once weekly. Additionally, there are irregular services from Karbala, mostly during religious festivals. Due to the ongoing conflict cancellations are common.

By car
Overland travel is possible from all neighbouring countries and while major roads are generally in an acceptable condition, travelling by car is strongly discouraged due to violence. Baghdad is in the centre of Iraq's highway network, with Freeway 1 from Basra and continuing towards the Jordanian borde being the major thoroughfare. Confusingly, the road from Mosul is named Highway 1.

By bus
Multiple daily buses arrive from most major Iraqi cities. Long-distance bus services from Istanbul and Ankara restarted in the summer of 2018, with two departures per week. However journey time is a gruelling 30 hours or more. Most long-distance buses arrive at the sprawling (گراج العلاوي), next to the central station. Buses leave and arrive from stands both north and south of the Allawi skyway.

Get around
While the almost daily bombings and shootings have subsided for the moment, there is always a risk of getting caught in violence when travelling around the city. Staying vigilant is essential. Many high-end hotels provide their own transport, some even with armored cars.

Baghdad is served by an extensive but chaotic bus network; maps and route information for the network are not available in English. Taxis are also plentiful and quite cheap to use. Walking is possible in parts of the city, especially in and around the old city. Cycling is not uncommon among locals, but there is next to no infrastructure to support it.

See

A combination of heavy redevelopment during the second half of the 20th century, two decades of warfare and neglect has not been kind to Baghdad's architectural and cultural heritage. Generally, the eastern side contains the older districts while the western side is newer. The historic old quarter contains a myriad of alleys and small streets with buildings dating back to the Ottoman era or even older. Many of them are unfortunately in various stages of disrepair. The old quarter is also home to the heart and soul of Iraqi literacy and intellectual community, Mutanabbi Street. The street is lined with bookstores and outdoor book stalls as well as cafés to discuss matters of the day.

Monuments, memorials and public art
Baghdad is home to many monumental monuments and displays of public art. Many were built during the dictatorship of Saddam Hussein and evoke mixed feelings among locals, while others are universally loved. A large number of high-profile public sculptures were made by Mohammed Ghani Hikmat (1929-2011), nicknamed the sheik of sculptors.

Mosques

Synagogues and Jewish heritage
Iraq was home to a large Jewish population until the early 1950s. Many left for Israel, often forcefully displaced by the government. Today, only fragments remain of Baghdad's Jewish heritage and there's a handful of Jews residing in the city.

Palaces and landmarks
During the reign of Saddam Hussein, a large number of palaces were built. While not tourist sites per se, they can be of interest to the intrepid traveler. Many are in various states of disrepair and might not be open to the public.

Archaeological sites

Work
There are several ways to work in Iraq as a foreigner. For US citizens the most obvious is the US Army which still maintains personnel here. Next are the government contractors, such as the construction company KBR. Many contractors hire personnel with prior military experience to return to Iraq. Persons with military experience or who are fluent in Arabic are especially sought after. Lastly, there are civilian government agencies in Iraq. USAID send their own personnel as well as contractors to Iraq.

The agencies above are all relevant for US citizens. Citizens of other countries with a presence in Iraq can apply for work through the respective agencies in their home country.

Buy
Rugs and DVDs are available to buy. Inspect the quality of rugs carefully: Some are cheap Chinese-made rugs, and many are extremely overpriced. Also, many DVDs, especially those from street vendors, are bootlegs of varying quality.

Traditional markets

Baghdad is home to several traditional markets with vendors that both produce and sell their goods at the same market. One traditional art is coppersmithing with the Baghdad copper souk producing some of the finest copper artifacts in the world. However it and several other traditional crafts are in decline due to cheaper imported goods.

Eat
Restaurants and cafés have been notorious targets for suicide bombers in the past, making eating out a quite dangerous activity.

Drink

While Baghdad is undergoing something of a liberalization regarding both night life and alcohol, it is still not widely available and large parts of society frowns upon it. While some bars exists, particularly along Abu Nawas Street, a safe bet is always the bars of the top tier hotels. Many international organisations have their own bars as well, and some are open to outsiders.

Tea houses and cafés are however ubiquitous, and often open late into the night.

Sleep
Most organizations arrange their own accommodation. Sleeping in hotels in the proper city is always a risk due to bombings.

Stay safe
Travel to Baghdad is not recommended because of security concerns. Westerners are particular targets of kidnapping and assassination by militant and extremist groups. Baghdad airport is secure, so transiting there if necessary is safe. See the warning on the Iraq article.

The easiest way to stay safe in Baghdad is not to go there in the first place, except for official reasons. Most expats and business travellers to Iraq hire a security detail which constantly monitors the security situation within Iraq and around Baghdad. Travel outside the International Zone is extremely dangerous. Roadside and car bombs are detonated every day in Baghdad. Many Iraqis are armed. Markets and popular gathering places are frequent targets of bombers. As a foreigner you are more likely to be targeted for kidnapping. Kidnappings are often financially motivated. These threats are not restricted to Americans or women. You are also likely to be refused access to accommodation as Iraqis will fear being targeted for supporting the occupying forces.

Heatwaves
Baghdad is prone to heatwaves, with temperatures exceeding 50 C during July and August. Making the situation worse, frequent electrical outages means that even where there is air conditioning it might not work. Being prepared and staying hydrated is essential.

Embassies

 * 🇦🇺 Australia
 * 🇨🇦 Canada
 * 🇨🇳 China
 * 🇬🇷 Greece
 * 🇷🇴 Romania
 * 🇷🇸 Serbia
 * 🇬🇧 United Kingdom
 * 🇺🇸 United States

Go next

 * Basra — second largest city in Iraq and its main port city
 * Mosul — third largest city in Iraq
 * Assur and Hatra — archaeological sites from the Cradle of Civilization
 * Ctesiphon — archaeological sites just south of Baghdad

title: Baghdad


text:
Baghdad Belts

The Baghdad Belts are at the cultural and political center of Iraq, radiating outward from the center at Baghdad.

Cities

 * — the national capital and the country's largest city by far, at the center of the Baghdad Belts region.
 * — the historic capital of the Abbasid Empire
 * — a lush Kurdish city on the banks of Alwand river, with a historic bridge
 * — a lush Kurdish city on the banks of Alwand river, with a historic bridge
 * — a lush Kurdish city on the banks of Alwand river, with a historic bridge

Other destinations

 * - ruins of an ancient city, once capital of the Persian Empire

Get around
Transportation options beside private car and taxis are limited. However, daily passenger services on the railway between Baghdad and Fallujah has been restored.

Stay safe
See the warning on the Iraq article.

title: Baghdad Belts


text:
Bagni San Filippo

Bagni San Filippo is a village within the municipality of Castiglione d'Orcia in the Val d'Orcia region of Tuscany.

Get in
A train can be taken in Florence or Rome to Chiusi Chianciano Terme Station. Then you can take a taxi to Bagni San Filippo

See
Spas of Bagni San Filippo are hot springs which are small and have the presence of calcium deposits, which form white concretions of calcium carbonate, such as the one shown above. There are also beautiful waterfalls.

title: Bagni San Filippo


text:
Bagno Vignoni

Bagno Vignoni, is a village in the commune of San Quirico d'Orcia, 45 km to the south of Siena (Tuscany). Whilst the buildings in this small centre date from the medieval period, the first settlement in the area was during the time of the Etruscans and ancient Romans, as attested by numerous archaeological finds.

Despite its small size, it attracts both Italian and foreign tourism with its charming natural landscape and thermal springs. The presence of warm water beneath the soil has made the town unique: its main square is completely taken up by a huge bathing pool of thermal water is collected. Rising around the pool are the principle buildings of the town; the most notable is the small church of San Giovanni Battista.

Go next
Nearby is the tiny medieval hamlet of Vignoni Alto.

title: Bagno Vignoni


text:
Bago

There is more than one place called Bago:

Australia

 * Bago (New South Wales) – a rural area around 30km west of Port Macquarie

Myanmar

 * Bago (Myanmar) — a city in Myanmar

Philippines

 * Bago (Philippines) — a city in Negros Occidental

title: Bago


text:
Bago (Myanmar)

Bago or Pegu (Burmese ပဲခူးမြို့), formerly Hanthawaddy, is the capital city of Bago Division in the Irrawaddy region and the 4th biggest city of Myanmar with a population of 254,000 (as of 2014).

Understand
Many visitors will want to leave this city as fast as possible, which is not quite justified. The sunset from the top of Mahazedi Pagoda provides for a stunning view with many pagodas sticking out of the green surrounding and a Buddha lying and relaxing in between. If you are in a rush, you can still visit the main attractions within 3-4 hr by hiring a motorcycle and then hop on your onward transportation.

Bus
The can easily be reached by foot. If you are planning to change buses in Bago beware that you are not necessarily dropped off there but at the close to San Francisco Hotel. This is especially true for buses from the south and also from Inle Lake in the north. There may be a someone selling bus tickets, and he will claim that Bago has no main bus station making him the only one selling you an onward ticket (at twice the price). This is not true, and you can easily walk or get transport to the main bus station where prices are more reasonable.

 * Yangon – 3,000 kyat, 2 hr, every hour from 07:00. From the Aung Mingalar Bus Terminal but also the corner of Strand and Sule Pagoda Rd. A cheaper option is to take bus 51 to Saw Bwar Gyi Gone Bus Station near the airport, from where a bus leaves to Bago. The journey takes 1-2 h and costs 1,000 kyat.
 * Kyaiktiyo – Many direct buses depart leave from Kinpun at 06:00, 08:00, 09:00, and 13:00, and cost 5,000 kyat (but can be haggled down to 4,000 kyat). You can also catch buses at Kyaikto, which is directly at the highway, passing by from Hpa-an or Mawlamyine.
 * Hpa-An – The bus is 5-7,000 kyat, takes 4-5 hr and leaves from the Clock Tower.
 * Mawlamyine – AC Bus at 07:00,08:00, 09:00 and 12:30. 5-10,000 kyat.
 * Inle Lake – There are at least three buses from Nyaung Shwe, 15:30, 17:30, and 18:30 which all arrive in the morning. They are 10-20,000 kyat.

Due to the highway between Mandalay and Yangon, all buses coming in from the north (Mandalay, Bagan, Naypyidaw) can also be used to get into Bago. Possibly, you will have to get off along the highway and do the last 26 km by pickup.

Scam warning: if coming from the south the bus will sometimes stop about 4 km outside the city. A rickshaw man will then come on the bus and tell you that the bus can't stop in the centre, this is a lie. Ignore him, stay on the bus and explain to the bus staff you want to go to the centre.

Train
The train offers a hassle-free way to get out and into Yangon, since the Yangon train station is in the middle of the city, contrary to the Yangon bus stations. The prices for upper class are 1,150 kyat from Yangon (600 kyat for ordinary class), 3,150 kyat from Mawlamyine, about 9,000 kyat from Mandalay and about 5,000 kyat from Naypyidaw.

 * The central has many trains a day coming in from Yangon, leaving central Yangon at 06:00, 08:00, 11:00, 15:00, 17:00, 20:30 and arriving 2 hr later.
 * There are another three trains from Mawlamyine, departing at 08:00, 19:30 and 20:55, passing by Kyaikto and arriving 7 hr 15 min later.
 * Trains from Mandalay leave at 06:00, 15:00 and 17:00, stop at Thazi (after 2 hr 45 min), Naypyidaw (after 6 hr) and Taungoo (after 8-9 hr), and arrive 13 hr later.
 * A shorter variant leaves Naypyidaw at 02:00, 08:00 and 20:00, stops at Taungoo (after 2-3 hr) and arrives 7-9 hr later.

Taxi
You can leave Yangon in the morning by taxi (US$40-50). A taxi is a very convenient (but still pricey) choice because you use it to see the sights in Bago, which are quite far apart. Also, you can stop at Taukkyan on the way.

Walk
All of the sights in Bago can be reached on foot and are within 2 km of each other. However, with the heat or rain that may not be the best way. As a solution, you could combine single shared tuk-tuk rides (200 kyat) with walking. Especially the sights at the western end of the city (around Shwethalyaung Buddha) are all in walking distance, even the Mahazedi Paya is just 5-10 min from the reclining Buddha.

Bicycle
They can be rented at several places, ask your hotel or at San Fransisco Hotel, and are a good way to explore the city if the heat is not too bad. The price is between 1,000 and 2,000 kyat.

Shared ride
Many shared tuk-tuks and pickups are available along the main roads. Do not pay more for transportation than the locals do: 200 kyat for a shared tuk-tuk or pickup ride. However, often motorbike and tuk-tuk drivers will approach you in mob fashion and try to convince you to pay up to 1,000 kyat. Just walk away from them and try to stop a passing tuk-tuk/pickup – along the main road you'll never have a problem getting one. However, seldom they are not available at certain places.

Motorbike
You can hire motorbikes or tuk-tuk for a whole day for 6,000 kyat, if you discuss a bit, just the bike without driver. This is only worth the money if you are more people or if you want to be sightseeing the whole day from dawn until dusk. Otherwise, single, shared tuk-tuk rides will always be cheaper. Especially the sights at the western end of the city are all in walking distance (20 min or less).

Private ride
You can get private tuk-tuks or motorbikes at most street corners and sights, however they charge more and will try to rip you off (they want up to 1,000 kyat for a ride, 5,000 kyat for an hour). In that case, just walk away and ask a different one or get a shared tuk-tuks/pickup. Locals pay 500 kyat for a motorbike ride.

Taxi drivers may suggest avoiding the 10,000 kyat government fee for visiting certain pagodas. Make sure you agree on how much extra you're willing to give him for this service as he may demand/expect the 10,000 kyat in return. The fee is only enforced at two places. Easy to avoid it, no need for taxi drivers.

See
An official government fee of 10,000 kyat is required to visit most of the sights in Bago. However, it is only strictly enforce at Shwethar Lyaung Pagoda, Shwe Mawdaw Pagoda and KanBawZaThadi.

Do
Except for walking or driving around and visiting the numerous sights, not much more can be done in Bago.

Eat
Many small and local kitchens are spread all over town, serving soup, noodles and other typical Burmese food. They are reasonably clean if frequented well. Many dished go for under 1,000 kyat or even under 500 kyat.

Drink
On the east side of the train station and rail tracks a lot of typical (and sometimes dodgy) Myanmar beer pubs can be found. Otherwise, try the place nearby the clock tower described in the previous chapter.

Sleep
For the hotels along the main road always ask for a room in the back, because this road is where all traffic from Yangon to the east goes through, also at night.

Go next
Bago sits conveniently between many onward destinations, Yangon & Ngwe Saung to the east, Kyaiktiyo & Mawlamyine to the southeast, and Bagan & Mandalay to the north via the new & fast highway. It can be a hard choice, but east and north can be combined in a circle, e.g. via the far Mruak U.

Bus

 * Yangon – Every hour, 2 hr, until 18:00. Try 3-4,000 kyat. See the comment about the train below.
 * Kyaiktiyo – Famous for the Golden Rock. Most buses stop only at Kyaikto from where you have to take further transportation (pick-up) to get to Kinpun ("base camp"), from where the regular and pricey rollercoaster trucks go up to Kyaiktiyo with the Golden Rock. There are some direct buses to Kinpun, just ask for it. Buses take around 2-3 hr and cost 4-6,000 kyat.
 * Hpa-An – Famous for its many caves and green surroundings. Catch a direct bus or one to Mawlamyine. In case you don't get a direct bus to Hpa-an, get off in Thaton from where pickups or buses can easily be caught from the golden pagoda in Thaton for the last bit to Hpa-an. Frequently, 4-5 hr, 5-10,000 kyat.
 * Mawlamyine – Famous for the biggest reclining Buddha statue in Myanmar, and it is the 3rd biggest city of Myanmar. 6-7 hr, 5-10,000 kyat.
 * Inle Lake – One of the most famous destinations in Myanmar, 14 hr. The night bus to Nyaungshwe leaves around 18:30 and costs 13,000 kyat.
 * Naypyidaw – The capital of Myanmar, not very interesting or busy but allows for a stop on the way to Bagan or Mandalay, and houses the impressive and very little touristic Uppatasanti Pagoda. 8 hr, 8,000 kyat.

Train
The quoted prices are for upper class; ordinary class is cheaper but can be full. For more details see Seat61.com, or ask directly at the train station where you also will have to buy the ticket upfront.

 * This is the preferred choice to get into Yangon, because, contrary to the Yangon bus station, the train station is in the city centre. The 2-hr train from Bago to Yangon leaves at 02:45, 02:58, 03:16, 04:13, 05:49 and 12:11, 15:24, 18:59 (1,150 kyat).
 * The 7½-hr train to Mawlamyine (3,150 kyat) leaves at 21:04, 20:19 and 22:50, also making a stop at Kyaikto (2,450 kyat) after 2.5 h.
 * The 7-9 hr train to Naypyidaw (~5,000 kyat) leaves at 09:43, 13:16 and 20:13, also making a stop at Taungoo after 5 hr.
 * There is a similar 13-hr train the whole way to Mandalay (~9,000 kyat), which leaves at 19:48, 16:44 and 18:48, also making a stop at Taungoo after 5 hr, Naypyidaw (~5,000 kyat) after 7-9½ hr and Thazi (~7,000 kyat) after 10 hr.

title: Bago (Myanmar)


text:
Bago (Philippines)

Bago City is a city in Negros Occidental. It is known for its historical sites and natural treasures, and as the "rice granary of Negros Occidental".

History
Like most of the rest of the country, Bago was ruled by the Spanish from the late 16th century to the end of the 19th. In 1898 Filipino rebels, led by General Araneta in this region and General Lacson in Talisay, forced the capitulation of the Spanish garrison at Bacolod and established a revolutionary government with Araneta as the Acting Governor.

In 1901 the Americans came, abolished Araneta's government, and established a civil government on Negros Occidental. They allowed Filipino officials to govern the municipality.

During the Pacific War Japanese forces occupied Bago and attempted to establish a provincial government but got little co-operation. The Americans, with Filipino help, liberated the town on March 29, 1945. It had been almost destroyed but has since been rebuilt and further developed.

Talk
Hiligaynon is the main local language in this region but English, Tagalog, and Cebuano are also widely spoken, and many locals speak two or more languages well. Other languages including Aklanon, Ilokano, Waray and Hokkien Chinese are also spoken.

By plane
Bago City can be reached through Bacolod-Silay International Airport which is in Silay but serves Bacolod City, 14.4 km away from Bago City. The airport is served by two airlines: Philippine Airlines, and Cebu Pacific that connect the whole of Negros Occidental to Metro Manila, Cebu City and Davao. You can get a cab to get to Bago City on arrival.

By boat
Another alternative for getting to Bago City is using ships from other provinces to Bacolod's Bredco Port. From Manila, Bacolod is 18 hours away while from Iloilo, it is 45 minutes to 1 hour away. There might be many ports in Negros Occidental that are accessible but among them Bacolod is the most accessible and is the nearest point from Bago City.

Get around
Air-conditioned taxis are now plentiful in Bago City, but tricycles and jeepneys are still the cheapest modes of transport.

Historical sites and churches

 * General Juan A. Araneta Monument, stands in the public plaza and stores the remains of General Araneta as well as his erected statue.
 * Historical Marker of the 1898 Declaration of Canton de Negros Republic by General Araneta
 * Old Bago Bridge, a bridge spanning the Bago River, was built sometime in the late 1920s. Here, American PFC Theodore C. Vinther died foiling Japanese attempts to destroy this bridge on March 29, 1945.  A World War II Veterans marker was installed at the approach to the bridge during the 50th anniversary of Negros' liberation.
 * St. John the Baptist Catholic Church: One of the century-old churches in Negros Occidental built in 1891, its architecture might remind you of Mexico as its architectural design is Mexican-influenced.
 * Balay ni Tan Juan: House of General Juan Araneta, who struggled with many people for freedom of Bago from the Spanish. It is a museum and stores collection of memorabilia.
 * Cinco De Noviembre Marker: Located on the site that used to be occupied by a drugstore of Leandro Locsin, it was used by a meeting place of the leaders of the 1898 Revolution.
 * Ruins of Old Mascuvado Mills

Cultural and Nature Centers

 * Rafael Salas Park & Nature Center serves as a gateway to Mt. Kanla-on National Park. Ideal place for mountaineers.
 * Mt. Kanla-on Natural Park
 * Busay Dalupya
 * Manuel Y. Torres Coliseum and Cultural Center
 * Crocodile Farm	Ostrich Farm
 * Harding Sang Balo
 * Manuel Y. Torres Coliseum and Cultural Center
 * Crocodile Farm	Ostrich Farm
 * Harding Sang Balo

Festivals

 * Charter Day Anniversary
 * Feast of Saint John the Baptist
 * Al Cinco de Noviembre Fiesta

Buy
Silk is the best product Bago City can give.

Eat
Try Kalamayhati and Inasal. Inasal means cooked over fire or in simple words a local version of barbecue, they're available in streets sold in stalls. Kalamayhati is a variety of local rice cakes, it is made from coconut milk, sugar and glutinous rice.

Drink
San Miguel beer is mostly available in the Philippines.

Sleep

 * Jara Beach and Garden Resort
 * Seafront Resort and Beach Garden
 * Cora Beach Resort
 * Reesa Beach Resort
 * Pata-an Mountain Resort
 * Cora Beach Resort
 * Reesa Beach Resort
 * Pata-an Mountain Resort

Connect
English newspapers like Visayan Daily Star, Philippine Daily Inquirer and Business Tonight are available.

Go next

 * Bacolod City: Negros Occidental's provincial capital as well as the center of commerce in the province.

title: Bago (Philippines)


text:
Bagram

Bagram is the capital of Parwan Province, East Afghanistan in Afghanistan.

Understand
Bagram is in a strategic location controlling access to the passes north of Kabul. Alexander the Great built a city called Alexandria in the Caucasus near here in the 4th century BCE, the Soviets had a major military base in the area when they invaded in the 20th century CE, and so did the Americans when they and their allies invaded in the 21st.

There's not much reason for a traveler to visit Bagram, and it's probably not the safest place to be either. If you are within the area, do not attempt to stop near the facilities and observe operations: this interest may be seen differently by others because the situation in Afghanistan is so volatile.

See

 * Abandoned Soviet Base

Eat

 * Aziz’s Restaurant

title: Bagram


text:
Baguio

Baguio is a highland city of 366,358 people (2020 census) in the province of Benguet, Philippines. Due to its cool mountain weather relative to the rest of the country, it is considered the "Summer Capital of the Philippines." The city is abundant in pine trees, so it is nicknamed the City of Pines.This is also the capital of Cocaine making for the Philippines

Understand
Baguio, to many, is best known as the "Summer Capital of the Philippines", with its cool climate making this a spot to escape the chaotic scenes in Manila. The city is also home to tropical pine forests, lending the city the nickname "City of Pines". It serves as a tourist hub in the Cordilleras, serving as a jumping point to other tourist spots like Mount Pulag, Sagada and Banaue.

Baguio is considered a city separate from the province of Benguet, but it is considered part of Benguet practically, and it is the economic center for both the province and the Cordillera region. Some of the city's tourism promotions also point to nearby La Trinidad, which is both administratively and geographically in Benguet, and is the provincial capital.

History
The city originated as a hill station built by the Americans in the 1900s. Road connection is provided by the zigzagging Kennon Road, and the city is planned by the renowned American architect and urban planner Daniel Burnham. It was intended to be the summer capital of the Philippines, then an American colony. It soon gained its position as a popular tourist destination to many Manila residents escaping the heat, noise, and crowds of the metropolis. The city has been badly damaged by the destructive Central Luzon earthquake in 1990, but the city since recovered.

Climate
Lying at in the Cordilleras, Baguio has milder temperatures, and is quite temperate compared with the rest of Luzon and the country as well. The climate is highland subtropical, with temperatures 7-8 C-change cooler than the lowlands, and conditions reminiscent of spring. The coldest temperatures ever recorded in the city is. Chilly northeastern monsoon winds from Siberia can cause nighttime lows to drop almost near freezing, with frost forming from moisture turning into ice due to wind chill. Despite its altitude, Baguio has not experienced any snowfall.

The city is best visited during the dry season between November and April, when the northeast monsoon blows through northern Luzon, and rainfall is at its lowest. The cool dry season is Baguio's peak season for tourists. The rest of the year is rather rainy, and it is the off season for tourists.

Get in
To get to Baguio from outside of Luzon, you still have to pass through Metro Manila or Clark airport and from there get to Baguio by either of the following ways:

From Manila

 * This is the most common and economical way to get to Baguio from Metro Manila. Several bus lines ply the Metro Manila to Baguio route with terminals scattered across the metro. It generally takes about 5-7 hr to get to Baguio by bus. An hour longer than it would by car due to stopovers along the way.

From Clark airport

 * Partas Bus operates a bus service that stops at Clark airport and heads north from there, departing the airport at 5PM. Get off at Sison, Pangasinan (arrival there around 8PM) and cross the road to the restaurant stop opposite and get on a Victory Liner bus that does a dinner stop there. The fare from Clark airport to Sison on Partas Bus is, then from there by Victory Liner to Baguio is an additional . Travel time is 3 hours Clark to Sison, then 1½ hours Sison to Baguio, plus some waiting time at Sison.

From Angeles City

 * Philippine Rabbit operates from Dau Terminal. . Journey takes about 4-5 hr.

By plane
Baguio has an airport, the

By car
From Manila to Baguio by car, the fastest route is through the expressways. Take the North Luzon Expy (NLEX) up to Angeles, then exit to Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX), then continue to the Tarlac-Pangasinan-La Union Expy (TPLEX) up to Rosario. From there, you can take Kennon Rd (Rte 54) or Marcos Hwy (officially Aspiras-Palispis Highway, Rte 208) via Pugo-Rosario Rd (Rte 209). Kennon Rd is the shortest, taking only three-quarters to one hour from the foot of the mountains in Rosario, La Union. Marcos Hwy starts at Agoo, La Union (a little further to the northwest from Rosario) and takes about one hour but is a wider, less winding road with a more gradual uphill incline and is safer in the rainy season. It has spectacular vistas of the South China Sea on a clear day.

From Ilocos, Naguillan Rd (Rte 54) is usually taken by travelers from the north and will take longer.

All three roads can get blocked by landslides and Kennon Road with its long winding stretches is both scenic and dangerous. If you want to drive to Baguio, it would be best to hire a Filipino driver for this purpose. Most rental car companies in the Philippines offer chauffeur driven rentals in addition to the usual self-driven rentals. As anywhere in the Philippines when traveling by land, don't underestimate the distance, as while it is over as the crow flies, it is a 4- to 5-hr drive if you account the traffic and road conditions on the route.

From Cagayan Valley, the primary route is Benguet-Nueva Vizcaya Rd (Rte 110). It starts at the junction at Aritao in southern Nueva Vizcaya and ends at the vicinity of SM Baguio.

By jeepney

Similar to Manila, jeepneys ply various routes within Baguio and its immediate surroundings. Majority of jeepneys going out of the city (P.M.A., Country Club, etc.) are stationed in Burnham Park where they normally load passengers to their destinations. It is possible to a rent a jeepney but it is not advisable when trekking long distances.

By taxi
More convenient for tourists perhaps, taxis are also common but once you are in the outskirts may be a bit hard to come by.

Taxis abound in Baguio. The rate is for the first, with / increments thereafter. All Baguio taxi cabs are painted white and have the proper identification markings on them. Maximum capacity in each taxi is 5 persons (4 passengers, 1 driver).

Taxis can also be booked for a whole day tour at for a 8-9 hr tour of all the main attractions in and around town. Find a taxi at the Tourist Information Counter at the Victory Liner terminal or through your place of accommodation.

By car
Car rental in Baguio is a good option for short out-of-town trips and traveling around the city. There are several agencies offering car hire in Baguio and there are self-drive and with driver options available. To rent a car in Baguio you should have an international driver's license. Baguio usually involves navigating a series of winding mountain roads.The traffic is on the right side of the road. As the Session Road and the public market have a very limited parking space, consider leaving your car outside the city center. Rates for car rental Baguio companies can go by the hour, the day or by the week.

Do

 * Panagbenga: The Baguio Flower Festival is held every February. Street parades, colorful floats and costumes and native dance displays have drawn huge crowds to Baguio every year.
 * Horse back riding: Wright Park and its surroundings. It costs per hour ( for half an hour), plus a guide fee if you want to ride beyond the park.

Buy

Specific products

 * Woven articles - various articles ranging from wristbands and bookmarks through hand bags and rucksacks to slippers, all hand woven.
 * Wood carvings - rice god figurines, traditional Ifugao houses and other nice carvings made from hard wood.

Eat
Baguio has the usual fastfood joints that are so ubiquitous in major Philippine cities. For a true taste of Baguio, have a bite at the following establishments:

Sleep
Baguio has a fine selection of accommodations, mostly cozy pension houses and small hotels that reflect this Philippine province's delightful homey atmosphere.

Mid-range & Splurge

Drink
Most of the night life is centered at Nevada Square where numerous bars are clustered ranging from "hot-babe" hotspots to chill-out bars, this is the place to be. There are some good bars outside the square like Urban Sessions and Purple which is a stone's throw away from Nevada Square. 18 BC (Fridays - Reggae Night, Saturdays - Acoustic Night) and Padi's Point draws out bargoers with their regular band.

Internet
Baguio has its fair share of Internet cafes ("computer shops") scattered around Session Road with Netgear Internet Shop being the closest from Session Road. Many of the malls within the area also have their own Internet cafes but it is generally expensive. Expect to pay around per hour when going to internet shops outside malls. Hotels, restaurants, and malls are now offering free WiFi nowadays so if you're able to find a nice spot you can just waste your time surfing the web.

Laundry
Many of the hotels do not have laundry service and finding a place to get your clothes washed can be difficult.

Stay safe
As a number one rule, always secure your belongings. Keep your passports/visas/important papers at the hotel safe (if there is one available at your hotel) or in a safe place. Cellphone snatching and purse dippers are a problem but common sense and safety can keep you safe.

Crime normally increases during the holidays and Panagbenga as thousands of people visit Baguio City.

Go next

 * La Trinidad (Benguet)
 * San Fernando (La Union)
 * Vigan
 * Dagupan
 * Sagada
 * Mount Pulag in Benguet is the highest mountain in Luzon (2922 MASL) and a very popular hiking destination with its stunning scenery and "sea of clouds" views of the Cordillera mountain range. Different trails offer a diverse range of difficulty and days required. A must-visit trekking destination for outdoor enthusiasts travelling in the Philippines. TrailAdventours ([mailto:info@trailadventours info@trailadventours]) arranges trips to Mt. Pulag either from Manila or Baguio City.

Take a bus heading north to Sagada from the Lizardo Trans bus terminal. The first bus is at 6AM and there are several services afterward. The fare is and the ride takes 6-8 hours.

title: Baguio