text:
Shantou

Shantou (汕头 Suan1tao5 in Teochew, Shàntóu in Mandarin), known as Swatow in the local language, is a coastal city and Special Economic Zone in Guangdong Province in China. It is located in the east of the province near the border with Fujian. It has a population of around 5,500,000 as of 2015, making it the largest city in the Chaoshan region, and a booming economy.

Understand
The city came to prominence during the 19th century when it was established as one of the treaty ports for trading with the West. In the 1980s it was designated as one of China's Special Economic Zones with tax breaks and other government measures to encourage development. See List of Chinese provinces and regions for more detailed explanations of "treaty port" and "special economic zone" if required.

Overseas visitors are not common in the rural areas around Shantou, and those of non-Chinese ethnicity will definitely be an attraction to residents. Those unaccustomed to this may feel intimidated. However, this is a very friendly type of attention, and if you look at it as an opportunity to talk to new people, it can be a highlight of your trip. Do not be surprised if people want their picture taken with you, or if they yell to friends and family to come look at you as well. Any sort of communication you attempt to make, especially in the local Teochew dialect, will almost always be happily received.

Talk
Teochew is the main local language, though most younger locals speak Mandarin as well.

By plane
Via Guangzhou

Guangzhou Baiyun Airport offers Intercity Bus service. You can stay at Shantou Tourist General Corporation.

Via Shenzhen

Shenzhen Bao'an Airport doesn't offer Intercity Bus service like Guangzhou. You can transfer via high speed railway from Shenzhen to Shantou.

Via Xiamen

There is also an airport in Xiamen.

By train
A high-speed bullet train line connecting Xiamen to Shenzhen via Shantou is now in service. Beyond Xiamen, it continues along the coast all the way to Fuzhou, Hangzhou and Shanghai. From the ends of that line, there are good connections almost anywhere in China. It will take about 2.5 hours from the Chaoshan High Speed Rail Station (the closest one to Shantou on the main line, which is about 1 hour from city center by Bus #181, ¥10) to Shenzhen North Station; 1.5 hours from Chaoshan High Speed Rail Station to Xiamen North Station. Public bus is available from Shantou city center to the railway station. The economy class ticket price from Shantou to Shenzhen is less than ¥100.

Some services also continue beyond Shenzhen to Hong Kong's West Kowloon Station. If travelling to or from Hong Kong, both Hong Kong and mainland Chinese customs and immigration checks are conducted at West Kowloon Station before boarding, so be sure to factor in extra time to complete all procedures.

(汕头站) in Shantou's urban area is now connected to the Xiamen-Shenzhen high-speed railway. The journey from Chaoshan to Shantou takes around 25 minutes and costs ¥10–16. Direct high-speed train services are also available to Shantou Railway Station from Guangzhou and Shenzhen. However, if coming from Xiamen, you will need to change trains at Chaoshan.

If you want to travel slowly or cheaply, the following choices may still be available:

By bus or car
Zhuhai (8 hours, ¥160), Guangzhou, Shenzhen (4–5 hours, ¥150) or Xiamen (4 hours, ¥100). There is fairly new highway that is on par with U.S or European expressways running between Shenzhen and Shantou (and beyond). However, food and gas stops are limited so make sure your gas tank is full if you opt to pass a fueling station. Note that restrooms are far below Western standards as well, particularly if you are female.

Some Hong Kong residents prefer to drive these highways in groups of 3-4 cars, as robberies sometimes take place along the road.

The Shantou Regency Hotel operates a coach service from Hong Kong. It takes 5.5 hours and costs ¥180 or HKD200. This can rise to HKD320 or ¥300 during the Lunar New Year period. Tickets can be purchased from the China Travel Service HK and one may board the bus in Sheung Wan, Yau Ma Tei or Fanling Station.

Get around
Shantou public buses can be highly variable and service frequency can depend on the whim of the operators, particularly during evening festival dates. Recorded announcements are made over the speaker system in Mandarin and Teochew, however the frequent use of the horn and general noise can make it difficult to understand.

On many services, one needs to notify the bus driver verbally if they would like to alight as the buzzers are inoperable.

Metered taxis exist, but rarely will the driver use the meter. The fare needs to be negotiated, preferably before the trip to avoid arguments later.

Traffic in Shantou, as is common in this part of China, is chaotic at best. Do NOT expect vehicles to stop at red lights, as motorcycles and bicycles regularly go through red lights without slowing down. Also, do NOT expect vehicles to go with traffic, as cars, motorcycles, and bicycles regularly go AGAINST the flow of traffic (e.g. going southbound in a northbound lane). Furthermore, do NOT expect only pedestrians on sidewalks, as cars, motorcycles, and bicycles regularly zip along the sidewalk as if it is just another lane on the road. Also, watch out for motorcyclists who do not even slow down at red lights, with one hand on the steering handle and the other with a cell phone, talking. However, with all this, there are fewer accidents that one may expect given this chaos, mainly because people do slow down if they see you.

There is self-service rented bike available in Shantou city center, starting from early 2017. Tourist can use it to tour in the city area, and the rent rate is cheap. However, you may need to register in the Chinese bike renting apps on your mobile before you using it.

Do

 * 1) Taste Seafood. Shantou is famous for its fresh and delicious seafood. Don't miss the opportunity to taste local seafood dishes at seafood markets or restaurants, such as Chaoshan-style beef hotpot (潮汕牛肉火锅) and Chaoshan-style claypot congee (潮汕式粘土锅粥).
 * 2) Visit Seaside Attractions. Shantou offers beautiful seaside scenery, including Seaside Park, Nan'ao Island (南澳岛), and Chenghai Jinshan (澄海金山). You can enjoy the sea views, beaches, and outdoor activities at these places.
 * 3) Explore Cultural Heritage. Shantou has many historical and cultural heritage sites, including Chaoshan Confucian Temple, Overseas Chinese Museum (华侨博物馆), and Zheng Chenggong Memorial Hall (郑成功纪念馆). These places can help you learn about the local history and culture.
 * 4) Shopping. Shantou has several shopping areas like Shantou Market (汕头市场) and commercial streets where you can buy local specialties, crafts, and souvenirs.
 * 5) Visit Overseas Chinese Communities (参观华侨社区). Shantou is one of the important hometowns of overseas Chinese, and you can visit some overseas Chinese communities to learn about their history and cultural contributions.
 * 6) Learn about Chaozhou Opera (潮剧). If you are interested in Chinese opera, you can watch Chaozhou opera performances or learn the basics of Chaozhou opera.
 * 7) Savor Chaoshan Tea Culture. The Chaoshan region is also known for its tea culture. You can taste local teas and learn about Chaoshan's tea traditions.

Eat
Lots of local food available which is also famous in China, including Beef Balls (牛肉丸), oyster omelette (蚝烙, Oh Lua in Teochew), Seafood, etc.
 * Jiahe Harbour View Hotel 嘉和海景酒店 By the waterfront near the fortress, has breakfast buffet, consisting of mostly Chinese food, for ¥48.
 * Jiahe Harbour View Hotel 嘉和海景酒店 By the waterfront near the fortress, has breakfast buffet, consisting of mostly Chinese food, for ¥48.
 * Jiahe Harbour View Hotel 嘉和海景酒店 By the waterfront near the fortress, has breakfast buffet, consisting of mostly Chinese food, for ¥48.

Sleep
Home Inn business hotels are a good choice for short and long term visitors. Rooms are new and clean and prices are around USD 30 per night.

Budget

 * Yi Jia Hotel, on Changjiang street 17 (汕头宜家酒店 长江路17) Really difficult to spot since it's on the 14th floor but this hotel is quite nice for the price. Rooms are large and well designed. 110/night double room 150/night triple room
 * The hotel directly opposite the bus station is of acceptable standard. Rooms are clean and have TV, air conditioning and bathtub. ¥158 per night.
 * Chinese brand budget hotel including Hanting, HomeInns, etc. are available in most area in Shantou, rate is generally less than ¥200 per night.

Mid-range

 * Junhua Haiyi Hotel, Shantou City Center. The hotel is rated four stars, managed by Meritus.
 * Golden Golf Hotel, Jinsha Road, Shantou City Center. The hotel is rated four stars and established by 1990.
 * Shantou International Hotel, Jinsha Road, West of Shantou City Center. The hotel is rated four stars, has 30 years history and refurbished & reopened in 2016.
 * Mid-range hotel is generally rated at ¥350 per night.
 * Mid-range hotel is generally rated at ¥350 per night.

Splurge

 * Sheraton Shantou Hotel, Changping Road, Shantou City Center, the hotel is rated five stars.
 * Regency Hotel, Changping Road, East of Shantou City Center. The hotel is rated five stars and close to Shantou Railway Station.

Go next

 * Chaozhou
 * Xiamen
 * Guangzhou
 * Shenzhen
 * Hong Kong

title: Shantou


text:
Shanxi

Shanxi (山西, Shānxī) is a province in Northern Central Region of China.

Cities

 * — the capital city of Shanxi Province.
 * — home of the Yungang Grottoes (UNESCO World Heritage Site).
 * — site of Pingyao Ancient City (UNESCO World Heritage Site). Nearby are Shuanglin Temple, Zhenguo Temple, and many Shanxi merchant family compounds.
 * — location of Yongle Palace and Guan Di Temple.
 * — site of Pingyao Ancient City (UNESCO World Heritage Site). Nearby are Shuanglin Temple, Zhenguo Temple, and many Shanxi merchant family compounds.
 * — location of Yongle Palace and Guan Di Temple.
 * — site of Pingyao Ancient City (UNESCO World Heritage Site). Nearby are Shuanglin Temple, Zhenguo Temple, and many Shanxi merchant family compounds.
 * — location of Yongle Palace and Guan Di Temple.
 * — location of Yongle Palace and Guan Di Temple.
 * — location of Yongle Palace and Guan Di Temple.
 * — location of Yongle Palace and Guan Di Temple.

Other destinations

 * Waterfall
 * Waterfall
 * Waterfall
 * Waterfall
 * Waterfall

Understand
Shanxi Province, whose name means land west of Taihang Mountain, lies in the middle reaches of the Yellow River and on the eastern edge of the Loess Plateau. The Yellow, Haihe, and Fenhe Rivers flow through Shanxi, whose splendid landscape is graced by the celebrated Taihang and Liliang Ranges and Hengshan and Wutai Mountains. Most parts of the province are more than 1000 meters above sea level.

Shanxi's long history is traced back to the days when it was a major cradle of Chinese civilization. In remote antiquity, southern Shanxi was the domain of three legendary kings, Yao (capital: Pingyuan or present day Linfen), Shen (capital: Puban or present day Yongji) and Yu (capital: Anyi or present day Xiaxian County).

A rich cultural heritage mixes with natural wonders to form Shanxi's bustling tourist scene. Datong, Wutai Mountain, Taiyuan, Pingyao, Linfen, and Yuncheng are locations full of historic and cultural significance. Several sites in Shanxi are UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Get in

 * Flights to Taiyuan Wusu International Airport from Guangzhou, Beijing and Shanghai
 * Flights to Datong Yungang Airport from Beijing
 * Trains to Taiyuan and Pingyao from Beijing and Xi'an
 * Train to Datong from Beijing: convenient tourist train departs around 3PM from Beijing Western Station and arrives at Datong at 8:30PM.

Get around
The main sites in Shanxi are clustered around the main provincial highway, an impressive modern tollway which runs from Datong in the north to Yuncheng in the south. This highway passes through or near such major tourist centers as Taiyuan (the capital city), Pingyao, and Linfen. Thus the key tourist sights in Shanxi are easily visited by car. (The main exception being Wutai Shan, which can be reached by car but which is not so close to this main highway.) Unfortunately it is not that easy to rent a car and/or driver in Shanxi, particularly if one is not a Chinese speaker. This is best arranged through a travel agency.

Shanxi also has a major rail line which runs parallel to this highway and which stops at the key cities. It is a good way to get from city to city, although one does need to check the schedules carefully as some cities are served infrequently.

The main airports are in Taiyuan and in Datong.

There are many local and long-distance bus lines in Shanxi. In general the buses get to destinations more quickly than the train.

Taxis are freely available for local trips or for daily hire.

Landmarks and buildings
Portions of the Great Wall of China can be seen in the province, including The Outer Wall of Shanxi at Li'erkou to Deshengbu, Juqiangbu to Laoniuwan, and along the Yellow River, near Datong, as well as The Inner Wall of Shanxi at Yanmenguan, Guangwu Old City, Ningwu Pass and Niangziguan.

Grottoes of interest can be found at Yungang Grottoes in Datong and at Tianlongshan Grottoes near Taiyuan.

Pingyao Ancient City in Pingyao is an attraction in itself. Premier sights here are the two temples, Shuanglin Temple and Zhenguo Temple.

The province is dotted with other temples, including Jinci Temple on the outskirts of Taiyuan, Twin Pagodas Temple in Taiyuan, Guangsheng Temple (including Flying Rainbow Pagoda) near Linfen, Yao Temple near Linfen and Guan Di Temple in Xiezhou near Yuncheng.

Other historical sights of interest include Nine Dragon Screen in Datong, Hanging Monastery near Datong, Yingxian Wooden Pagoda near Datong and Yongle Palace in Ruicheng County near Yuncheng.

Parks and nature
Two nature areas should not be missed, Hengshan Mountain in Datong and Hukou Waterfall in Jixian County near Linfen.

Museums
For an overview of the history of the province, see Shanxi Museum in Taiyuan. Other museums of interest includes two Folklore Museum, one at Dingcun village in Xiangfen near Linfen, and the other at Qiaojiabao in Taiyuan.

Eat
Shanxi pasta has a long history, dating back to two thousand years ago. Take noodles as an example. In the Eastern Han Dynasty, they were called "boiled cakes"; in the Wei and Jin Dynasties, they were called "soup cakes"; in the Southern and Northern Dynasties, they were called "Shui Yin"; and in the Tang Dynasty, they were called "Leng Tao"... The names of pasta are constantly changing, and they vary from time to time and place. As the saying goes, "Jiao'er" calls it "Jiao'er" because of its many names. The numerous names and names of pasta just show that Shanxi people attach great importance to and love it.

There are many kinds of pasta in Shanxi. Generally, housewives can make dozens of types from wheat flour, sorghum noodles, bean noodles, buckwheat noodles, and oatmeal noodles, such as shaved noodles, ramen noodles, Gepei noodles, push noodles, enema, etc. When it reaches the hands of the chef, it is made in a variety of ways, and it reaches the realm of a variety of dishes and a variety of flavors. According to research, pasta in Shanxi can be divided into three categories according to the production process: steamed pasta, boiled pasta, and boiled pasta. There are as many as 280 kinds. Among them, knife-shaped noodles are especially famous at home and abroad and are known as China's famous noodles. One of the top five pasta dishes. Others include large ramen, knife noodles, fish noodles, pick noodles, river fishing, cat ears, steaming, frying, roasting, stir-frying, braised, simmering, deep-fried, mashed, pasted, spread, mixed, dipped, roasted, etc. There are so many names that it’s dizzying.

Go next
Shanxi sits between Beijing and Xi'an, home of the famous Terracotta Warriors. For those who have time, it makes sense to travel from Beijing to northern Shanxi to southern Shanxi to Xi'an (in Shaanxi Province)--or from Xi'an to Beijing via Shanxi in the other direction.

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

title: Shanxi


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Shaoguan

Shaoguan (韶关; Sháoguān) is a small city in Guangdong Province in China. It is famous for its surrounding nature and the hot springs, and for being home to a large number of people from the Yao ethnic minority.

Talk
The main language in Shaoguan is Hakka, though most people speak Cantonese and Mandarin as well. Some residents also speak a distinct dialect called Shaozhou Tuhua, which does not fall into any Chinese dialect family, and is mutually unintelligible with Mandarin, Cantonese or Hakka. The Yao ethnic minority speak their own language.

By train
Trains serve Shaoguan from many other cities in Guangdong (Dongguan, Foshan, Guangzhou, Maoming, Qingyuan, Shenzhen, Zhanjiang, Zhaoqing) and from other cities in China, as far afield as Beijing.

A train ride from Guangzhou on the slow train takes more than two hours and should cost ¥39 on the hard seater.

The bullet train from Guangzhou takes about 50 minutes to an hour and 15 minutes and costs between ¥70-105 depending on speed for a second class seat.

Shaoguan's two main train stations are (韶关站) and  (韶关东站). High-speed trains serve Shaoguan Station; slow trains serve Shaoguan East Station, which is more centrally located and slightly closer to Danxiashan.

Shaoguan Station is way to the southwest of the city center, not close to much of anything. There is a little village next to it, though, with a handful of hole-in-the-wall restaurants and cheap guesthouses—exit the station and turn right to find them.

By plane
When you get off from Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport, the intercity bus is convenient. The price of a ticket is about ¥100. Please note that you check the bus with certificate. When get off the bus, you can travel around by yourself with the map, that is so fun.

Get around
The main bus terminal is just next to the train station. Buses leave from here to the major sights. Locally operating buses start here, but the town center is within walking distance. Just cross the river opposite the train station and you are almost there.

Tourist guides will occasionally offer their services to newly arrived travellers. Prices are subject to negotiation.

Eat
Restaurants in Shaoguan are not set as densely as in Guangzhou. A good place to find many restaurants is Heping Road (和平路) at the northern end of the main shopping and pedestrian area. The choices include a McDonalds and various Chinese cuisines.

Go next
Shaoguan is the gateway to Danxia Mountain and Nanling National Forest Park.

 * Guangzhou
 * Hengyang
 * Qingyuan – rafting and hot springs

title: Shaoguan


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Shaoxing

Shaoxing (绍兴) is a city in Zhejiang, near Shanghai and Hangzhou, famous for its traditional Chinese bridges, boats, architectures, yellow wine and a huge number of textile and cloth factories and production.

By plane
The fastest way to get there is by plane, stop in Xiaoshan International Airport, then take a bus or cab to get into downtown, no more than 20 km away from the airport.

By bus
The easiest way to get into Shaoxing is by bus, almost every city in Zhejiang will have transportation to Shaoxing.

Get around
The downtown is very clean, and very nice to walk around to feel the perfect combination of modern and ancient Chinese culture

See
Fishermen in this town used to use cormorants (鸬鹚) for fishing, but nowadays the town only has the birds on special occasions. Call the travel association ahead of time to ask before coming here to look for birds.

The county-level city of Shengzhou (嵊州 Shèngzhōu), which falls under the jurisdiction of Shaoxing, is the birthplace of  Yue opera (越剧 yuèjù), the second most popular genre of Chinese opera after Beijing opera.

Buy
There are many shopping malls in the downtown area, here recommended some:

 * Lotus - in the north west of the downtown, a Thai cooperation's shopping center, offering variety of daily products with comprehensive prices.
 * Trust-Mart - in the middle of the downtown, right beneath the center square underground, easy transportation.
 * Buxing Road- in the south of the downtown, famous for its traditional Chinese small products like stamps, old money, pets and small hand made gifts.

Drink

 * Yellow Wine

Go next

Qianqing (钱清) A small town not far away from downtown Shaoxing, bus 613 will get you there directly, and it is famous for its cheap textile and cloth materials with nice quality.

title: Shaoxing


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Shapinsay

Shapinsay is one of the smaller Orkney Islands, a short ferry ride from Mainland Orkney. It measures about 7 miles north-south by 3 miles east-west, with a population in 2011 of 307, and Balfour the only village. The whole island was owned and remodelled in the 19th century by the Balfours; their grandiose castle can't be visited but there are several prehistoric sites such as Burroughston Broch.

It's usually obvious what a Viking placename indicates - think of Westray or Sanday - but no-one knows what Shapins might have been. One suggestion is hjalpandis-øy, helpful island, for the shelter it afforded on the sea approach to Kirkwall.

Get in
Shapinsay is close to Mainland and has no air service. Orkney Ferries sail from Kirkwall in a small ro-ro taking 30 min. There are six sailings M-Sa and three on Sunday year-round, and most visitors simply day-trip. Until April 2025 the return fares are adult £6.10, child £3, conc £4.0, car £19.40.

is the ferry port and only village.

Get around
You can walk everywhere but might use a bike to get up to the north end.

See

 * Balfour village was created from the former Shoreside when the whole island was remodelled. Thomas Balfour married into money in 1780 and began the makeover, and his grandson David Balfour built the castle and (no doubt after much cogitation) renamed the place. The harbour walls and cannon are just decorative. The village heritage centre in the Smithy has closed. The cylindrical tower at the north end was the gasometer, but just to add authenticity, David purloined three ornamental stones including one dated 1725 from Noltland Castle on Westray.
 * Dishan Tower is 200 yards south of the pier and well seen from the ferry. It looks like a lighthouse but was built in the 17th century as a dovecote. In the 19th century it was converted into a showerblock, and became known as The Douche, as the Balfours deemed that what the island was short of was lashings of cold salty water. It's derelict and unsafe.
 * , the uninhabited islet enclosing the harbour at Balfour, has a lighthouse and the remains of a broch, cairn and chapel. It's tidal but only just, you could wade across at the bottom of a spring low tide, but The String rip current may carry you off towards Norway.
 * is a 3-metre Neolithic standing stone.
 * is a souterrain, an Iron Age earth house. The stone atop it is a modern addition.
 * is the fragmentary ruin of a 12th-century chapel.
 * is a well-preserved Iron Age broch, with thick dry-stone walls and an interior chamber. It's on the north-east corner of Shapinsay, 4 miles from the ferry pier, follow Hillock Road.
 * at the north tip of the island is a gully created by waves driving into the natural cleavage plane of the bedrock.
 * at the north tip of the island is a gully created by waves driving into the natural cleavage plane of the bedrock.

Do

 * Milldam RSPB Reserve is a mile north of Balfour harbour. The bird hide overlooks a small wetland and lake, created in the 1880s to power a mill. Orkney doesn't have much wetland — whatever isn't naturally well-drained was diligently improved for arable farming in the 19th century — so this reverse creation is an important habitat. It's free to access 24 hours. Other wetlands around the coast are called "ayres": they're brackish lagoons formed where storm waves have piled up a shingle barrier along the beach, blocking the drainage.
 * Ward Hill in the north of the island at 64 m (210 ft) is at no dizzy altitude, but you need stout boots for the uneven soggy terrain.
 * Find obscure Norse and Pictish landmarks. Or better still, fail to find, as they can't possibly live up to their names. Anti-clockwise along the coast from Balfour you might stumble across Noust of Skidi, Steiro, Haco's Ness, Dead Wife's Geo, Skarvie Clett, Dochins Cave, Geo of Jibidi, Swart Helligeo, Piers of Frustigarth, Coopalash, Taing of the Busy, Gany of Gersty, Geo of Ork (the north tip, described above), Point of Veniver, Inskift of Skewnesstoft, Furrow of Traddelton, The Galt, Banks of Runabout, Quoys of Ayreacks, Grukalty Pier, Lang Ridden and Setter Noust, which circles you back to Balfour with a better appreciation of its sonsie name.

Eat & drink

 * The Smithy Cafe reopened in 2023. It's 100 yards north of the ferry pier, licensed, and open M-Th 11AM-3PM, F Sa 11AM-minight, Su 11AM-5PM.

Sleep

 * Self-catering accommodation may be available at Iona Cottage.
 * Rip van Winkle may be the inspiration for the island's dormant economy. William Irving was born on Shapinsay in 1740 and emigrated to New York in 1763. Washington Irving was his son and wrote Rip van Winkle and Sleepy Hollow.

Connect
As of July 2024, Shapinsay has no mobile signal from any UK carrier. Finish any calls before taking the ferry from Kirkwall.

Go next
Back to Kirkwall and the Mainland is the only option.

title: Shapinsay


text:
Sharchopkha phrasebook

Sharchop or Tshangla is a regional language spoken in eastern Bhutan.

Basics

 * Hello. : . (kuzu zangpo )
 * Hello. (informal) : . (Wai)
 * How are you? : ? (kuzu zangpo la?)
 * Fine, thank you. : . (dek pay kadrin chey )
 * What is your name? : ? ( nan ga ming hang ya?)
 * My name is ______ . :  ___jang ga ming ___ . (  _____ .)
 * Nice to meet you. : . (sho nang phi wa )
 * Please. : . ( kuchay )
 * Thank you. : . (kadinchee)
 * You're welcome. : . ( )
 * Yes. : . (gila)
 * No. : . (ma gila  / mangi )
 * Excuse me. (getting attention) : . (tha goth cho lay )
 * Excuse me - request to repeat question . (begging pardon) : . (la)
 * I'm sorry. : . (ro ma tsik cho )
 * Goodbye : . (lek bu joensho )
 * Goodbye (informal) : . (ya ya )
 * I can't speak Sharchopkha [well]. : [jing ghi sharshop saylu man cha ]. ( [ ])
 * Do you speak English? : ? ( chilingpa kha selay mo?)
 * Is there someone here who speaks English? : ? ( ?)
 * Help! : ! (wai charo aii !)
 * Look out! : ! ( wai goth cho!)
 * Good morning. : . (kuzu zangpo )
 * Good evening. : . ( )
 * Good night. : . (lek bu yep cho )
 * Good night (to sleep) : . (lek pu zim sho na )
 * I don't understand. : . (jang ma sela )
 * Where is the toilet? : ? ( chabsang oh ya?)

Numbers
1-10: thur, nigdzing, sam, pshi, nga, khung, zum, yen, gu, se

Colors

 * Red: tshalu
 * Blue: yinglu
 * Green: chang kha
 * Yellow: serbu
 * Black: changlu
 * White: Balengmu

title: Sharchopkha phrasebook


text:
Shari

Shari (斜里町) is a town on the northern coast of Hokkaido, Japan.

Understand
Shari is east of Abashiri and west of Shiretoko National Park. In fact, the village of Utoro, a part of this area, is one of the two gateways to the national park.

Tourist information site
The local tourist association has a Japanese-only guide site.

Get in
Shari can be reached by car, bus, or train. That being said, having a car once you're in Shari is highly desirable, so renting one in Abashiri is a reasonable idea.

Get around
Traveling by car is recommended. It is also not uncommon to see bicyclists and motorcyclists.

Do
Utoro, a seaside village with hotels, seafood, and onsen, is the main attraction in this area.

Go next

 * Visit Abashiri and see its icebergs and prison museum.
 * Go hiking in Shiretoko National Park, famous for Mt. Rausu and its large bear population.

title: Shari


text:
Sharjah

Sharjah (Arabic: الشارقة) is the third largest city in the United Arab Emirates and the capital of Sharjah emirate. Sharjah is known for its Arabic and Islamic architecture as well as its libraries, Islamic museums, and cultural centers. The city is known as the cultural and literature hub of the United Arab Emirates. The city is rooted in its Arabic and Islamic heritage with many Umayyad and Abbasid-styled buildings and offers a glimpse of Arabic and Islamic environment in an otherwise largely westernized country. It is a major hub for family friendly environment and activities and has a more conservative atmosphere. The city has many green parks, apartment complexes, and a large community of Arabs from all the Arab world making the city an effective cultural meeting point for many different communities of Arabs.

In contrast to Abu Dhabi and Dubai, Sharjah offers visitors a vastly larger view into Arabic and Islamic art, literature, and architecture. It's a usual destination for visitors who are looking for a cultural and a more local experience of Arabia and Islamic atmosphere compared to Abu Dhabi and Dubai.

Understand
Sharjah is very closely connected to Dubai through the Dubai-Sharjah-Ajman metropolitan area, with commuter traffic creating rush hour traffic jams. Many people live in Sharjah but work in Dubai to take advantage of lower rents, hence traffic from Sharjah to Dubai and Dubai to Sharjah is largely expected in rush hours.

The emirate is considerably larger than Dubai, with coastline on both west and east coasts of the peninsula, and with exclaves of Kalba, Khor Fakkan, and Dibba Al Hisn. The road to the east coast goes through rugged Al Hajar mountains. Public buildings in the Emirate are all in Umayyad and Abbasid architecture, and were all designed by the present Shaikh (a qualified architect). Therefore, the city offers a nice visual change and a more cultural atmosphere from the usual fare of skyscrapers in other Emirates.

The Sharjah Commerce and Tourism website has sections on business, heritage, leisure, education, and coast.

Talk
As in the rest of the UAE, Arabic is the official language, although most residents speak other languages - particularly Hindi, Urdu and Tagalog. English is widely spoken in shops, souqs, and hotels.

Get in
For visa requirements to visit Sharjah, see the United Arab Emirates page.

By plane

Getting there and away:
 * By bus – Regular 24/7 buses (every ½-1 hr) run the distance of 20 km between the airport and Al Jubail Bus Station (Sharjah center aka Rolla)—10 dirham, cash only. From Al Jubail, you can connect to Abu Dhabi center (direct bus, 40-50 dirham), Abu Dhabi Airport via Ibn Battatu (see Abu Dhabi International Airport for details), Dubai (direct bus, 10-15 dirham), Dubai Airport via Deira City Center (red metro from there to the airport, less than 10 dirham with card possible). Remember that most bus transport in Sharjah seems cash-only. See below for more possible connections and the links to the transportation websites where you can find schedules. Also, Google Maps is good in suggesting connections.
 * This seems to be out of date as of 2023: Public bus route 111 (10 dirham) runs hourly from the airport via Al Qusais Bus station to the Metro's Rashidiya station in Dubai.

 * By taxi – To go to Dubai International Airport, this will set you back at around 100 dirham. But Dubai Airport, just 20 km by road away, has many more international connections and is the more popular gateway to UAE.

By bus
Bus travel to Dubai is possible via an inter-emirate bus service run by the Government of Dubai Road and Transport Authority. Most buses arrive at, next to the Sharjah Fish market and the Sharjah Fruit and Vegetable market, nearby to the Central Souk. A bus from Sharjah to Dubai can take about 1 hr and costs 5 dirham. Timetables can be found at the RTA website.

By taxi
Taxis are widely available. Taxis can travel from other emirates such as from Dubai to Sharjah or from Ajman to Sharjah and vice versa without any restrictions. Traveling from farther emirates such as Abu Dhabi or Ras Al Khaimah is also an option, but taxi fares may be costly. Ride-share applications such as Uber and Careem are also an option and can be used to travel across emirates. You may also call the government sponsored Sharjah taxi service to request a taxis to come to your location.

By bus
Public buses are by Sharjah Transport (Journey Planner). There are seven local and three express routes.

It seems that most bus transport in Sharjah is cash-only.

Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) also offers express commuter bus service between Sharjah and Dubai. Check possible connections on their website—they require the nol smart card however, which can only be obtained in Dubai.

By taxi
Licensed taxi companies are Sharjah, Emirates, Citi, Union, and Advantage. Taxi plates are reflective green, which helps to spot them at night. Flag fall is 3.50 dirham, then 1 dirham every 650 m—the minimum fare is 11.50 dirham. There is a surcharge of 20 dirham to go into Dubai.

See

 * Heritage Area - Good overview available here including a few restoration of old houses. The Heritage is near the Corniche between Burj Avenue & Al-Maraija Road. Many historic buildings have been reconstructed with traditional materials. The most interesting sites are Al Hisn Fort, Literature Square with House of Poetry, Sharjah Museum of Islamic Civilization, Sharjah Heritage Museum and Souq al-Arsa. Most sites in the Heritage Area have opening times set aside solely for women. Visitors of both genders should make certain of these on arrival in the city.
 * Art Area - Includes Sharjah's Art Museum which covers regional and international art exhibits, with the oriental collection being its highlights. The Arts Area is situated opposite the Heritage Area on the other side of Burj Avenue.
 * Other museums also covers marine, natural history, aviation, and other valuable aspects http://www.sharjahmuseums.ae/.
 * Art Area - Includes Sharjah's Art Museum which covers regional and international art exhibits, with the oriental collection being its highlights. The Arts Area is situated opposite the Heritage Area on the other side of Burj Avenue.
 * Other museums also covers marine, natural history, aviation, and other valuable aspects http://www.sharjahmuseums.ae/.
 * Art Area - Includes Sharjah's Art Museum which covers regional and international art exhibits, with the oriental collection being its highlights. The Arts Area is situated opposite the Heritage Area on the other side of Burj Avenue.
 * Other museums also covers marine, natural history, aviation, and other valuable aspects http://www.sharjahmuseums.ae/.
 * Art Area - Includes Sharjah's Art Museum which covers regional and international art exhibits, with the oriental collection being its highlights. The Arts Area is situated opposite the Heritage Area on the other side of Burj Avenue.
 * Other museums also covers marine, natural history, aviation, and other valuable aspects http://www.sharjahmuseums.ae/.
 * Other museums also covers marine, natural history, aviation, and other valuable aspects http://www.sharjahmuseums.ae/.
 * Other museums also covers marine, natural history, aviation, and other valuable aspects http://www.sharjahmuseums.ae/.

 * Blue Souq (Souq Al Markazi or Central Souq). An interesting, if slightly chaotic, shopping centre hosting around 600 shops in two wings. The ground floor shops tend to stock gold and expensive designer clothes, with the upper level containing shops stocking carpets and curios from as far afield as Afghanistan and Tibet. Haggling over prices in the upper-level shops will frequently attract massive discounts. A great place to buy gifts and traditional goods. Considered superior to Dubai for carpets by Western expatriates.

Do

 * Jetskiing is very famous around summer time in the Khalid Lagoon.
 * F1 Boat Races happen around the human-made island in the Buhaira Corniche sometime around December.
 * Qanat al Qasba has a beautiful mosque right by the canal.
 * From Al Qasba there is a ferry that gives a boat tour around Sharjah.
 * Several different yearly festivals take place, and each one is a wonderful cultural experience. There are many fun activities at these festivals including camel rides, henna, delicious Arabian foods and dishes.
 * In celebration of the date season, which runs from mid-May to mid-August, the Date Festival is held at the Fruit and Vegetable Market from May 15 to August 15.
 * Cricket:

Eat
The ubiquitous shawarma is sold all over Sharjah and makes a very cheap and hearty meal. Khuboos made of wheat also a cheap food available at very cheap

Drink
Sharjah is a "dry emirate" which means sale or possession of alcohol within Sharjah is almost entirely forbidden. There are three exceptions:

Also, it is legal to transport alcohol through Sharjah if your final destination permits it (such as from Dubai to Fujairah). Some police may not be familiar with this rule though.
 * Alcohol is available at the duty-free and business class lounges of Sharjah International Airport.
 * If you have a personal alcohol license, you may bring in alcohol from other emirates and consume it at home.
 * If you have a personal alcohol license, you may bring in alcohol from other emirates and consume it at home.

Stay safe
Generally speaking, Sharjah is a safe place. Women are usually stared at in certain parts of the city, so bring a male relative or friend to be safe.

Go next

 * The smallest emirate, Ajman, is Sharjah's northern neighbor.

title: Sharjah


text:
Sharjah (emirate)

Sharjah (إمارة الشارقةّ) is the third largest of the seven emirates of the United Arab Emirates.

Cities

 * - the capital of the emirate, UAE's third largest city
 * Al Dhaid
 * Kalba
 * - a seaside town along the Gulf of Oman
 * - a seaside resort near northern border of the UAE with Oman's Musandam peninsula

Understand
Sharjah emirate has borders with Dubai, Umm al Quwain and Fujairah while the emirate of Ajman forms an enclave within Sharjah.

It is the only emirates to have a coastline on both the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman. This is by virtue of the emirate being made up of a main part (where the capital city Sharjah is) that is located along the Persian Gulf, and the exclaves of Kalba, Khor Fakkan, and Dibba Al Hisn which are scattered along the Gulf of Oman coast. Sharjah also controls the Nahwa enclave, which is located within the Omani exclave of Madha, which in turn is surrounded by Sharjah territory near the Gulf of Oman coast.

Because of its proximity to Dubai and the lower cost of living in Sharjah, many people live in Sharjah and work in Dubai. This causes daily traffic jams at rush hours.

Talk
As in the rest of the UAE, Arabic is the official language, with most residents actually speaking other languages entirely — particularly Hindi, Urdu and Tagalog. English is widely spoken in shops, souqs, and hotels.

Get in
For visa requirements to visit Sharjah, see the United Arab Emirates page.

Sharjah International Airport (SHJ)
Sharjah International Airport is around 15 kilometres from Sharjah city. It is the home of the low cost carrier Air Arabia which has connections with various Middle East and Indian Subcontinent cities.

Getting to/from the airport:
 * There is a shuttle bus connecting the airport with Sharjah centre (Rolla) running every 30 min (Dhs. 5).
 * Public bus route 111 (Dhs. 10) runs hourly from the airport via Al Qusais Bus station to the Metro's Rashidiya station in Dubai.

Dubai International Airport (DXB)
Dubai International Airport, in the neighbouring emirate of Dubai, has many more international connections and will be the more popular gateway to Sharjah.
 * Getting to/from the airport:
 * To go to Dubai International Airport by taxi will set you back at around Dhs. 100.
 * You can travel by public bus to or from Dubai International Airport by using Dubai's local bus service and the inter-Emirate bus service.

By bus
Bus travel to Dubai is possible via an inter-emirate bus service run by the Government of Dubai Road and Transport Authority. Most buses leave from the Al Jubail (Al Jabal) bus station next to the Sharjah Fish market and the Sharjah Fruit and Vegetable market, nearby to the Central Souk. A bus from Sharjah to Dubai can take about 1 h and costs Dhs. 5. Timetables can be found at the RTA website.

By taxi
Taxis can travel from Dubai to Sharjah and vice versa without any restrictions.

Get around
There is no public transport in Sharjah, which means that visitors will need to have their own wheels or rely on taxis, which have historically been unmetered, and although some of these remain, but several new companies operating metered taxis have become operational. They are similar in quality to Dubai's taxi fleet.

Taxi drivers, although mostly courteous, have the tendency to refuse passengers if the time of travel coincides with rush hour traffic. It is advisable to plan your travel well, allowing for traffic jams which could take 90 min to get out of.

Drink
Sharjah is known as a "dry emirate" so means the sale or possession of alcohol within Sharjah is almost entirely forbidden. Exceptions:

 * Sharjah Wanderers Club, . Sports club with pool, gym, hockey team but also a British bar with traditional British food. It serves spirits, wine, bitter, lager and stout on the premises.  Members and their guests only.
 * Alcohol is available at the duty-free and business class lounges of Sharjah International Airport.
 * If you have a personal alcohol license, you may bring in alcohol from other emirates and consume it at home.

Also, it is legal to transport alcohol through Sharjah if your final destination permits it (such as from Dubai to Fujairah). Some police may not be familiar with this rule though.

Stay safe
Generally speaking, Sharjah is a very safe place. Western women may get a few stares as they are fairly rare in Sharjah, but it is a safe place to walk around even at night.

title: Sharjah (emirate)


text:
Shark Bay

Shark Bay is a World Heritage Site in Gascoyne, Western Australia. The main town is Denham (2016 population 754) with the resort village of Monkey Mia (say "my-ah" not mee-ah) 25 km northwest. The area is well-developed for tourism and best known for its marine life, such as dolphins, turtles and dugongs, and its desert nature reserves.

Understand
Shark Bay is a large inlet on the west coast of Australia, separated from the Indian Ocean by the Carrarang Prong, Dirk Hartog Island, and Dorre and Bernier Islands. The bay is divided by the long Peron Peninsula: at its tip are the resort towns of Denham and Monkey Mia, and Francois Peron National Park. The inlet east of this peninsula is further partitioned by a long shallow sand bar: south of this are two hypersaline lagoons with unusual habitats.

Australian Aboriginals have dwelt in this hot arid climate for at least 22,000 years; the bay was a desert plain until flooded by rising sea levels at the end of the last Ice Age. The first European visitor was the Dutch explorer Dirk Hartog, who in 1616 landed on the island now named for him. He found nothing to interest the Dutch East India Company so he sailed on. At the start of the 19th century François Péron studied the area's wildlife and amassed a huge specimen collection. The shores and islands of Shark Bay became turned over to sheep and goat farms; there was also pearl fishing, salt pans, and quarrying for lime and gypsum. From the 1990s the government bought out the farms, created a national park on land and sea, and began restoring the original habitats. This work continues.

Denham is named for the Royal Navy captain who charted the bay in 1858. "Mia" is an Aboriginal word for home or shelter, but there's no agreement on how a monkey might have been involved.

Get in
Rex Airlines flies daily direct from Perth to Shark Bay (2 hr), which their timetable calls Monkey Mia. These flights continue to Carnarvon then head straight back to Perth - so the return trip is 3 hr 30 min, with no Carnarvon to Shark Bay service. Neither Qantas nor Virgin Australia (the former Southwest) fly here.

is 8 km northeast of Denham on the road to Monkey Mia, another 16 km. It's just a sealed landing strip with no passenger terminal, so you're straight out into the fierce sun and need to have your onward transport waiting.

By road Shark Bay is 850 km north of Perth, so it can be done in one day, but you may wish to break the journey somewhere around Dongara / Port Dennison.

By bus: good luck with that. Integrity Coaches from Perth towards Carnarvon and the north pick up / drop-off at Overlander Roadhouse on the main highway. That's 130 km away, it may be possible to arrange a shuttle with the coach line.

Fees and permits

 * There's free public access along Hwy 353, which takes in Hamelin Pool, Shell Beach, Eagle Bluff, Denham town and the airport.
 * Francois Peron National Park has the standard fees for all Western Australia's national parks: a day pass in 2022 is $15 for a vehicle with up to 12 occupants, pay cash or by card. Passes covering all parks are also available for 5, 14, 30 days and annually. There's no charge if you enter by bicycle or on foot, but the distances on sand roads would be heroic. There are further charges for camping.
 * Monkey Mia Reserve and resort village has the same fees as Francois Peron, but it's not a national park, you have to pay separately for both.

Get around
You need a vehicle, the heat and distances are too great for bicycle.

It's a good paved road from the roadhouse on Hwy 1 all the way to Denham and Monkey Mia. The side-road to Useless Loop is also suitable for 2WD.

You need 4WD, preferably high clearance, to tour Francois Peron National Park and to go beyond the Useless Loop road towards Steep Point and Dirk Hartog Island. Even with 4WD, rental companies might not allow you to take their vehicle that far out. Consider joining an organised tour to save wear and tear on your own vehicle.

Rental cars: Shark Bay Car Hire and Wicked Campers are local companies. None of the majors operate in this area.

See

 * Little Lagoon 4 km north of Denham is a tranquil pool ideal for kiddy-bathing.
 * is entered 6 km north of Denham, and covers the whole peninsula north of Hwy 353. A 2WD car can slither along the tracks as far as the old farm homestead, but you need 4WD to explore properly. It's named for François Auguste Péron (1775-1810) who collected over 100,000 specimens of Australian wildlife during an expedition of 1801-03. The peninsula, which to the Malgana Aboriginals is Wulyibidi, was later used as a sheep range and had a pearl-fishing camp; it became a national park in 1993. If you have a 4WD, this is one of the must-see places around Shark Bay. Deflate your tires to 20psi or less at the national park entrance (where you will be able to inflate them afterward as well) and head off onto the sandy tracks. There are several picnic areas in the park, and some beachside camping spots if you're staying overnight. Seeing sharks and stingrays swim close to shore from the cliffs at Skipjack Point will be something you'll remember for years to come. Mobile telephone coverage is limited or non-existent in most 4WD areas. In a life-threatening situation call 000. If you can only get enough signal for an SMS, text the SES at.
 * is a marine park best known for its dolphins, members of the bay's population of 2000 Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops aduncus). Several families regularly come inshore in the mornings, where five (and only five known individuals) are hand-fed by the rangers; you may be able to participate. There's a long-running study of the dolphins, for instance into their family structures and maternal behaviour, and their use of sponges as tools to winkle out small prey. Boat trips explore the bay, and ashore there's a 4 km nature trail curated by the Malgana people.
 * Blue Lagoon Pearl Farm is primarily a sales pitch, but their offshore shack 2 km north of Monkey Mia gives an insight into the history and modern methods of the pearl trade.
 * is an island on the sandy shelf that divides outer Shark Bay from its two inner lagoons. It's about 10 km long by 5 km wide, a desert scrubland which in the 20th century was used to raise sheep and goats. Faure is now a protected reserve: non-native animals have been removed and native species re-introduced. The continuing challenge is to rid the island of weeds such as Buffel grass. Boat trips from Monkey Mia may come this way to see the dugongs grazing on the sea-grass, but don't land.
 * Wooramel Seagrass Bank occupies the shallows east of Faure: it's effectively an underwater prairie, 130 km long by 8 km broad. The water is too hot for coral reef formation, but instead the grasses trap calcium carbonate from the remains of crabs and shellfish. This has built up into a habitat and reef that shelters the inner lagoon and renders it hypersaline. Pelican Island, 1 km long, is the only rise above sea level.
 * is a lookout from the cliffs along the road south of Denham. Camping is permitted at three nearby sites by arrangement with Shark Bay Visitor Centre.
 * is at the pinch point of Taillefer Isthmus, which connects Peron Peninsula to the mainland. It's composed entirely of shells, mostly cockles, 60 km long and up to 10 m deep. Anywhere else in the world, the cockles would get eaten by crabs and small fry then the waves would pulverise the shells, but L'Haridon Bight the west lagoon of Shark Bay is extra-calm, and too saline for the cockles' predators. The shells were mined as a source of lime until the bay was protected as parkland.
 * is the east, larger lagoon within Shark Bay, and it too is calm and hypersaline. This has enabled the growth of stromatolites, gnarly cannonball concretions of cyanobacteria, sand and shell fragments. Cyanobacteria are one of the oldest known lifeforms, using an ancient variant of chlorophyll, and they oxygenated the earth's atmosphere some 2.4 billion years ago. Some fossil stromatolites in Marble Bar, Pilbara, are even older than that, but those here might be 8000 years old - that's when rising sea levels flooded the bay after the ice ages. The stromatolites are reached by a side-road from Hwy 353: they're fragile, so stay on the boardwalk. The old telegraph station has been converted into a museum, and there's a caravan park.
 * is a company town producing salt, and off-limits to casual visitors, but you'll see its glistening salt mountain from clear across the bay in Denham. It was the harbour that an early navigator dubbed "useless", the salt production is about 1.4 million tonnes a year so that's clearly finding a use. As the town is near the tip of the Heirisson Prong, an attempt was made to fence off the peninsula, rid it of non-native species and re-wild it, as islands such as Faure and DHI have achieved. But who ever heard of a truly rabbit-proof fence? When they eliminated the foxes, the feral cat population soared, zap the cats and the rabbits proliferated, and so it went on. The project was abandoned in 2013.
 * is the most westerly point on the Australian mainland. At 113.156° West, you're on the same longitude as Guangzhou, the former Canton. Dirk Hartog Island leans a few km further west.
 * Bernier and Dorre Islands to the north are also part of the park, but see Carnarvon, the usual access route. From 1908 to 1909 they were used to incarcerate Aboriginals thought to have venereal disease: men on Bernier, women and children on Dorre.
 * Zuytdorp nature reserve: see Kalbarri for this and other sites to the south.
 * Bernier and Dorre Islands to the north are also part of the park, but see Carnarvon, the usual access route. From 1908 to 1909 they were used to incarcerate Aboriginals thought to have venereal disease: men on Bernier, women and children on Dorre.
 * Zuytdorp nature reserve: see Kalbarri for this and other sites to the south.

Do

 * Diving: the tranquil shallow bay is okay for basic training but not beyond. Its marine life is at snorkel-depth, and the waters are too hot for coral formation. Shark Bay Dive Centre is based at the Aquarium - their trips head out to the ocean off Dirk Hartog Island.
 * Shark Bay Kitesurfing is at Nicholson Point Denham, open daily 7AM-6PM.
 * Tours head into the park or out into the bay. Operators include Naturetime Tours, Shark Bay Quad Bike Tours and Wula Gura Nyinda.
 * Fishing is permitted around Denham and on the peninsula, plus out at Steep Point and Dirk Hartog Island, but check the rules on prohibited areas and species. Hamelin Pool is off-limits.

Buy

 * Fuel: there's a lot of ground to cover, so don't leave Hwy 1 on less than half a tank: the Overlander Roadhouse has an Amphol station open 24 hours. Nothing after that for 140 km till you reach the filling station and EV point in Denham.
 * Supermarket: Denham has one at each end of Knight Terrace, both open daily 7AM-7PM.
 * Pharmacy in Denham is open M-F 9AM-1:30PM, 2:30PM-5PM, Sa 9AM-1PM.

Eat

 * Shark Bay Bakery on Knight Terrace has a good selection. It's open M-F 7AM-4PM, Sa 7AM-2PM.
 * Boughshed is the restaurant within Monkey Mia Resort. It's open daily 8AM-8PM and serves non-residents but you need to book. Dogs on leash welcome.
 * Shark Bay Bakery on Knight Terrace has a good selection. It's open M-F 7AM-4PM, Sa 7AM-2PM.
 * Boughshed is the restaurant within Monkey Mia Resort. It's open daily 8AM-8PM and serves non-residents but you need to book. Dogs on leash welcome.

Drink

 * Dirk Hartog Island Distillery produces gin. It's not the heavy Dutch-style gin, in spite of the historic connections: the botanicals change with the vagaries of the seasons. You might find it on sale at resorts in the region.
 * Monkeybar is the pub within Monkey Mia Resort. It's open daily 4PM-10PM and serves bar food.
 * There are no stand-alone bars in Denham, try the holiday resorts and restaurants.

Denham

 * Everything's on or just off the beach road Knight Terrace.

 * Bay Lodge next to Oceanside is bad news.
 * Wildsights Villas are behind Heritage Resort.
 * Shark Bay Hotel does have rooms but most visitors come for the restaurant.
 * Shark Bay Caravan Park is cheaper than most as it's 500 m inland on Spaven Way.
 * Wildsights Villas are behind Heritage Resort.
 * Shark Bay Hotel does have rooms but most visitors come for the restaurant.
 * Shark Bay Caravan Park is cheaper than most as it's 500 m inland on Spaven Way.

Monkey Mia

 * You have to pay the Monkey Mia park fee to enter the village, see above. Other park passes are not valid.

Elsewhere

 * Nanga Bay resort and caravan park on the road up to Denham was dilapidated in 2021 / 22.
 * DHI camping is available at six sites on the island, book via the resort.
 * DHI camping is available at six sites on the island, book via the resort.

Stay safe
This is a hot desert region, with long distances and sands that can ensnare even 4WD, and no mobile signal to call for help.

The waters of the bay are calm and generally safe: shark attack is possible, but jellyfish and marine traffic are the main hazards.

Connect
As of Jan 2022, there's a basic mobile signal from Telstra in Denham and its nearby roads, but nothing from Optus or Vodafone. 5G has not reached this area.

Go next

 * North is Carnarvon then the North West Cape road for Coral Bay, Exmouth and Cape Range National Park.
 * South is Kalbarri town and Kalbarri National Park, then Geraldton.

title: Shark Bay


text:
Šarkaŭščyna

Sharkovshchina, or Sharkawshchyna or Sharkaŭshchyna or Šarkaŭščyna, is a town in Vitebsk Oblast, Belarus.

Get in
By bus or by train. Or you can just drive your own car here.

Get around
There is a small local bus system, but one can walk to the place of interest.

Do
There are a library, an internet cafe, and some stores.

You can just walk around and enjoy what the town can offer.

Buy
There are stores and a market where you can buy stuff.

Eat
There are some restaurants and cafes.

Drink
Buy something in the kiosk or stores.

Sleep
There is a hotel where one can stay.

title: Šarkaŭščyna


text:
Sharm el-Sheikh

Sharm el-Sheikh (Arabic شرم الشيخ) is a large resort at the south tip of the Sinai Peninsula in Egypt. The main reasons to visit are for scuba-diving and other water and beach activities, and to explore the Sinai desert. Often abbreviated to "Sharm", in Arabic it's pronounced Sharm i-Shaykh: the "Sha" is a sun-letter that absorbs the preceding "el-". It's the most developed and most cosmopolitan of the Sinai resorts.

Understand
Sharm el-Sheikh is at the south tip of a desert peninsula backed by rugged mountains, with no historic trade or pilgrim routes through it, and no mineral wealth. So it remained an insignificant fishing village until the 20th century, when it developed as a naval base to control the shipping lanes east up the Gulf of Aqaba to Jordan and west up the Gulf of Suez to the canal. But that made it a target for military attack. World War II attacks were against the shipping convoys rather than town, Thistlegorm sunk in 1941 being one notable nearby casualty. In 1956 Sinai was occupied by Israel during the Suez conflict, returning to Egyptian control in 1957. The area was again occupied in 1967, this time for 15 years, during which the Israelis developed Sharm as a tourist resort (and to some extent the other small towns along the Sinai coast). A peace deal led to their gradual withdrawal between 1979 and 1982.

By the 1980s Egypt was becoming a mass-tourist destination and Sharm continued to develop. President Hosni Mubarak (in office 1981-2011, died 2020) was very supportive of this; he raked in a dubious fortune from it but it meant that Sharm initially saw little of the turmoil of the "Arab Spring". However, in 2005, 88 were killed by a series of bombs across town, 2006 saw bombings in Dahab, and the long-running Sinai insurgency began in 2011. In 2015 an airliner was downed shortly after take-off from Sharm, killing all 224 aboard. This plus attacks elsewhere across Egypt utterly blighted tourist visits, as they were intended to do. Better security and a lull in attacks led to resumption of tourist flights in late 2019, and the city was just beginning to recover when in 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic again shut down trade.

The climate is very dry, with sometimes no rain all year. Summer days are blisteringly hot and the nights are warm to hot. In winter, the days are shirt-sleeve warm but the nights and the sea are cold: there's often a shimal, a cold wind blowing from the north.

Orientation
The Na'ama Bay part of the city is the center of nightlife and dining: most of Sharm's clubs, cafes, restaurants and shops are here. Na'ama Bay lies midway between Sharm Airport and Old City, nearly 10 minutes driving from each.

Microbuses can take you from downtown, but to reach Na’ama Bay from the airport, you will have to take a cab.

Sharm el Sheikh has grown into three distinct areas now, Nabq is a new area to the north of Na'ama, Old Market and Hadaba to the south of Na'amaa Bay.

Get in
See Sinai for information on the Sinai visit pass, which allows visa-free travel for up to 14 days.

By plane

You will need a visa only if you plan to go out of the Sharm area (such as Ras Mohammed bus or boat, Cairo, St Catherine's). It can be bought on arrival (price seems to vary day to day, make sure you have £25, US$25, or €25 handy.

For departures: timetable shows only nearest 1-2 hours, makes you watch over the row of check-in desks for your flight number.

Airport cafes
Cafes after security check are: Sbarro (overcrowded), Cafe Europa (on the back of the lounge, less crowded): sandwiches, coffee, Egyptian sweets; an outlet of the Caffè Ritazza international chain (also in Athens, Budapest, Madrid, Milan, London, Paris, New York, Stockholm, Zurich, Vienna) is coming soon.

Shops in the airport
After security check: Patisserie offers lukum, halva and other Egyptian sweets.

By boat
Ferry services between Hurghada on the mainland Red Sea Coast and Sharm were suspended in 2018. The high-speed catamarans used to be run by La Pespes.

is along the southern entry road, about 1 km southeast of the old market.

By car or bus
Sharm el-Sheikh can be reached by driving down the eastern coast from Eilat (Israel) via Nuweiba and Dahab, or via the western coast from Cairo. There are daily buses for both routes. From Cairo, East Delta buses take approximately 8 hr (LE80) while Superjet buses take 6 hr. When taking the bus from Cairo, keep your bus ticket and passport handy, as you will pass through a number of checkpoints, which require passengers to present identification and ticket. The drive is interesting with beautiful scenery, throughout the route.

is about a kilometer from Peace Road. If you should arrive during the evening hours your only option may be to take a taxi, as micro-bus service can be spotty. Since Sharm is a tourist-driven economy, you should be prepared to do some bargaining. If you are of the hiking type, it is roughly 20 minutes' walk to the main road. Just ask anyone to point you in the direction of Peace Road. Once at Peace Road you should have no problem hailing down a micro-bus.

When heading to the bus station via micro-bus along Peace Road, tell the driver that you are going to the bus station, and want to be left off at the gas station. This may take some work, given the limited English skills of the drivers. Once at the gas station, you should see micro-buses, which will take you on the final leg. Remember, transfers are not issued, you must pay another fee for the final leg.

About micro-bus fees If your journey is within a kilometer or two, the cost should be about (LE3-5). If your stop is further out, or if you are traveling during the late night hours, be prepared to get a demand for more money, in some cases drivers may demand up to (LE10-20). Demands for higher fees can also take place, if the driver feels he you have money! So, be prepared to negotiate. If the driver's fee is unreasonable, get out — this will often bring down the cost. When arriving, ask a local how much the bus costs before hailing one down. The information provided will give you a base-line price, from which you can bargain with.

By taxi
In Sharm the taxis are generally modern models, either Hyundai or Chevrolet. Don't bother with the meter in the taxi: it probably does not work anymore. They soon break due to the dust, and would work out more than the "fixed" prices anyway. Always note the driver's ID number. The tourist police are very helpful if you have a problem, or quickly realise you left something inside, but only with the taxi number.

Don't assume they have meters. Locals tell you they don't. Make sure you have transportation waiting for you as Sharm el Sheikh airport is the worst part of Egypt for getting a reasonably priced taxi. They will ask for LE150-400 for the 10-minute ride to Nabq. It is easy to make it to the main road, hail a cab and pay LE50-100. Otherwise you will walk away from the experience feeling violated.Check with your hotel if they have a pick-up service.

Check sure you have small notes to pay the fare and never pay before you reach your destination, making sure you only pay the pre-arranged price. Make sure that the driver knows that you are paying in Egyptian pounds and not British pounds. Taxis do not like to take coins.

By bus
There are also a fleet of blue and white tuk-tuks, which are basically small buses, of varying roadworthiness, which are used to ferry the locals around the resort of Sharm el Sheikh. These are a most economical method of transport compared to taxis, which are comparatively expensive. They run on a fixed route from north to south with a diversion to the expat/locals area of Hadaba. To hail a tuk-tuk, wait next to the side of the main street and raise your hand to flag one down as it approaches. When you take the bus, go inside and find a seat and simply pass your money forward to the driver (with the help of other passengers if you sit in the back). The fare should never be more than LE3. If you start asking for the price the driver may very well try to make you pay much more than needed. Do not try to pay in foreign currency. When you arrive at your destination call 'hinna quiis' (here is good). The main tourist center, Naama Bay, is known as Marina (and there is no marina!).

Make sure you have a stash of small coins and notes to pay your fare.

See

Sightseeing and excursions in/from Sharm El Sheikh

 * Sharm Old Town Hail a taxi or local bus to take you to the Sharm Old Town, ask the driver for the old market. This is a much different experience for tourists staying in the Na'ama Bay area. Most of Sharm was built after the Israeli invasion, so don't expect a Moroccan-style 'souk' experience! Ignoring the touts outside each shop make a better experience, unless you are serious about buying. Stay strong in you determination of what to pay.
 * Na'ama Bay is the tourist center of Sharm el-Sheikh, an unusual sight and a bit exotic for a westerner are huge fans pumping fresh air and water to street cafes and terraces near hotels. Na’ama Bay is basically a formation of a large number of hotels and spas, sharing the same beach line.
 * A visit to the desert is highly recommended. Various trips to the Bedouins, the beautiful Colored Canyon, White Canyon, quad bike and buggy safari tours.
 * A visit to the desert is highly recommended. Various trips to the Bedouins, the beautiful Colored Canyon, White Canyon, quad bike and buggy safari tours.
 * A visit to the desert is highly recommended. Various trips to the Bedouins, the beautiful Colored Canyon, White Canyon, quad bike and buggy safari tours.
 * A visit to the desert is highly recommended. Various trips to the Bedouins, the beautiful Colored Canyon, White Canyon, quad bike and buggy safari tours.

The more adventurous should try to find a private guide, who takes them for a few days into the mountain desert with a camel. You will walk through hidden valleys, rest at secret oasis and during the night you sleep under a breathtaking firmament.

 * Boat and snorkeling trips to the beautiful snorkeling sites in Ras Mohammed National Park and Tiran Island. For non-swimmers, the submarine or glass-bottom boat is an ideal alternative to discover the underwater world of the Red Sea.
 * Cultural excursions in Sinai like Saint Catherine's Monastery and Mount Sinai, where, according to tradition, the God spoke to the prophet Moses. Excursions from Sharm el-Sheikh to Cairo, where the famous three pyramids, the Sphinx and the Egyptian National Museum, or to Luxor, the famous capital of ancient Egypt. Other sightseeing excursions include those to neighboring countries to visit sites such as Petra or Jerusalem.
 * Day visit to Dahab Lovely relaxing trip - a totally different vibe to Sharm. One hour away through a mountainous road, best not attempted at night. Taxis should be LE150 each way or LE20 each way from the bus station then a Dahab 'taxi' (pick-up) for LE5-10 into town. Take the number of your driver if you want to leave at a different time. The bridge is in the centre of town with a promenade in each direction.
 * Enjoy the sight and sound experience and the live show at Alf Lela w Lela (A Thousand and One Nights) everyday. the live show is amazing, with different shows featuring other belly dancers. Also some Egyptians weddings, tanourra dance and shows. A bit down at heel but worth a look around.
 * Short trips to Aqua Park, the largest water park in Sharm el-Sheikh, Dolphinella where dolphin shows and dolphin swim takes place and crocodile show.

Diving
Diving is the main activity in Sharm el-Sheikh. When you dive into the warm water of the Red Sea and leave the remote desert behind, you will enter a world full of life and colours. Divers, especially photographers, should be confident with their buoyancy to avoid damaging the fragile coral reef system. Some hotels in Na'ama Bay have cleared the coral reef from their section of beach for tourists to use the water.
 * The reefs of Tiran and Ras Mohammed are known as two of the best diving spots in the world. They can be reached by boat from Sharm within two hours. Ras Mohammed is the southern most point of the Sinai peninsula. There, the current of the Gulf of Aqaba meets the Gulf of Suez. Due to the increase of plankton in the water the amount of fish is incredible. Huge schools of barracudas, sharks and murrays can be seen there every day.
 * The disadvantage of its popularity is that you may find up to 20 boats at the same reef. If you take a daily boat you may enjoy your dive in the company of fifty other dive guides and about 10 divers in each group.

 * The wreck of the SS Thistlegorm is generally regarded as one of the finest wreck dives in the world. However, it can also become very crowded with divers and definitely is an advanced dive due to strong currents and part of the dive is usually in an overhead environment.
 * Smarter divers book a diving safari. This way you avoid the crowds at the popular spots and have the possibility to dive beautiful reefs way beyond the reach of any daytripping boats. The overall costs of a diving safari does not exceed daily diving and it saves you a lot of stress. Check out your chosen boat online and make sure the photos are current!

Operators include

Quad bikes
There are dozens of operators who seem to use just the same route, length and sequence of stops: when you drive, you meet many groups who follow just the same route as yours. There are several really shaky pieces of the route, very much like a washboard.

Wear a long-sleeved shirt; shoes are safer than sandals. Always wear a helmet and make sure your travel insurance covers this activity. Expect all your wear (and skin) to be covered with gray dust.

2 hours of riding is just enough for a non-professional rider; expect several stops along the way. It's ideal to start your ride at 16:00 or later--to catch a sunset and ride back when air is not that hot.

At departure point, choose a bike in the beginning of the motorcade: being one of the first allows to drive faster, and results in less dust.

Make sure you stay on the path and follow your guide, as Egypt has one quarter of the world's landmines buried in its deserts, some of them surprisingly close to Sharm el-Sheikh.

Para sailing
Para sailing is very enjoyable. But, for a ride that is less than 5 minutes, they charge LE260 for 2 persons and LE220 for one person.

Camel trekking
The best place to do this is in the Sinai desert on a tour on camels. After this you can look up at the desert stars at midnight after having a homemade meal cooked by the Sinai people.

Buy
Water in shops cost around LE3-5. Bring your sunscreen, because they cost LE80-200 anywhere in town, if you are without tan, shopkeeper will sell you one at very bad price - welcome to Egypt.

Na'ama Bay has very forceful sellers and caution should taken by the naive tourist who accepts a "free gift" (nothing in Egypt is free) or falls for the "come and sign my guest book" in a shop, only to be locked in. When shopping, it is best not to speak to any sellers who engage you unless you are sure that you are going to buy something. This allows you some degree of hassle-free walking (as they do not know what language you speak).

Opening hours are variable, but most shops are open in the early to late afternoon and in the evening. If you are looking for a reprieve from the hassle and haggling, there's a Carrefour Express supermarket with fixed prices. Coming from the bay, it's hidden behind one of the Malls, at Golden Pyramid Mall – on Peace Road. The selection is limited, but all the staples are available without hassle. You just have to make it through the crowds of vendor touts to get there.

Eat
If you need a break from resort food try one of the local places below. If you're looking for a taste of home, Il Mercato houses a McDonald's, KFC, Pizza Hut, Costa and a Starbucks. Manchow Wok has nice Chinese food and is opposite Stella, the only place to drink in El Mercato.

Na'ama Bay is amusing, especially at night, where lights of Bedouin-style and modern restaurants, café shops, and other 'bazaars' are glittering. Pork is not sold, even when it is advertised on a menu (it is actually a salted beef). A 10-15% service charge will be added to any bill.

Drink
For nightlife, Na'ama Bay offers several clubs: The Pacha, Little Buddha and Hard Rock Cafe. (Yes, the latter is one of the chain.) There are countless bars and the pedestrian walkways offer many coffee houses where you may also enjoy a shisha along with some people watching.

Alcohol (including beer) is available in restaurants and street cafes. Travellers must be aware that taxes are now levied on alcoholic drinks that are purchased in cafes or bars that are not associated with the hotels. Drinks can be relatively expensive, compared to those in European destinations. Always ask to see a drinks menu before ordering a drink. Check in the Naama Bay cafes that you will not be charged 'entrance' and to watch the 'floor show' (bad dancing). Tea and coffee is around LE15-25, make sure you are paying sensible prices.

Fresh Guava juice is a must-try, excellent in any cafe, along with Bedouin or Mint tea.

Sleep
Most hotels in Sharm, particularly in the Na'ama Bay area cater for package tourists. There are mostly 3-6 star all-inclusive hotels and there are very few (if any) budget options. Generally it is best to knock a star off the official rating to avoid disappointment. Renting privately owned apartments is economical, but they vary in facilities.

Nabq or Montaza area it is quite a distance to the north (12 km) from Na'ama Bay and Old Market, so you either are tied to their all-included ration, or need to pay for taxi for every dinner in Na'ama (although taxi is inexpensive from most of hotels, or take the hotel courtesy bus). You do have Soho Square and the 'Mall Strip' of Nabq area of all inclusive Hotels.

For hotels in Na'ama Bay, their territory is frequently crossed by a pedestrian street, so the beach may appear across the street from the hotel building--obviously affecting privacy even when using a hotel's pool. The zebra crossings on the main roads are best ignored as the drivers have no idea what they are for! Check your choice out on Google maps to see if it is really near a beach as some are set back from the water some distance, although they do have shuttle buses (some of which incur local fees).

Splurge

The super-luxury resorts:

Stay safe
As of 2023, Sharm El-Sheikh is generally considered the safest place to be in the Sinai Peninsula. Police and the Egyptian Miliary have installed a wall around the city and there are military/police checkpoints even on the main streets. Each vehicle is checked before entering the city.

Mild food poisoning, the so-called traveler's diarrhea and stomach-ache is common among the European travelers. Tap water is not drinkable, but considered safe for tooth-brushing and showering. Always drink bottled water. Avoid food that is not cooked in front of you or likely have been stored for days without proper refrigeration. Cheese, salads, vegetables, yoghurts, mushrooms, fresh fruit juices are potentially not stored properly and therefore would cause diarrhea/stomach-ache.

There have been several fatal shark attacks, however, if you keep in mind the following, there is little-to-no-chance that you would be exposed to danger:
 * Always swim near the coastline and with more people.
 * Do not go swimming during the night, early in the morning or after sunset as the animals in the sea get more active during these times and the sharks may confuse you for another animal.
 * Do not go swimming near ports or places where the sea is unpredictable.

Go next

 * Dahab is a small and relaxing resort 90 km north of Sharm, with snorkelling, diving and other sports. The signature dive is the "Blue Hole".
 * Cairo and especially Giza has all the classical sights of ancient Egypt. Lots of day trips but it deserves several days to explore.
 * Hurghada, if the ferry from Sharm resumes, puts you on the road to fabulous Luxor.

title: Sharm el-Sheikh


text:
Sharon

There is more than one place called Sharon:

Israel

 * Sharon (Israel) - a region in Israel, the coastal plain north of Tel Aviv, south of the Carmel Range.

United States of America

 * Sharon (Connecticut) - A town in Connecticut.
 * Sharon (Kansas) - A town in Kansas.
 * Sharon (Massachusetts) - A town in Massachusetts.
 * Sharon (New Hampshire) - A town in New Hampshire.
 * Sharon (New York) - A town in New York.
 * Sharon (North Dakota) - A town in North Dakota.
 * Sharon (Pennsylvania) - A town in Pennsylvania.
 * Sharon (South Carolina) - A town in South Carolina.
 * Sharon (Vermont) - A town in Vermont.
 * Sharon (West Virginia) - A town in West Virginia.
 * Sharon (Wisconsin) - A town in Wisconsin.

title: Sharon


text:
Sharon (Massachusetts)

Sharon is a town of 19,000 people (2020) in Greater Boston, about 17 miles (27 km) southwest of downtown Boston.

History
It was incorporated as the Town of Stoughtonham in 1775, and was named Sharon in 1783, after Israel's Sharon plain, due to its dense forestation. During the American Revolution, the townspeople of Sharon made cannonballs and cannons for the Continental Army at a local foundry. In front of the Sharon Public Library stands a statue of Deborah Sampson, Sharon's town heroine. Sampson disguised herself as a man to fight in the Revolutionary War. After the war, she married Benjamin Gannett, a farmer and lived in Sharon until the end of her life. Sampson began a campaign in 1790 to secure a pension from her time in the Revolutionary War, which earned the support of well-known public figures, including Paul Revere. In 1804, Revere visited Sampson (then Sampson Gannett) at her farm in Sharon and wrote to the congressman of her district, William Eustis, that he found her "much more deserving than hundreds to whom Congress have been generous." Sampson was placed on the United States pension list a year later, and awarded an annual payment. She is buried in the local Rockridge Cemetery. A street in Sharon is named Deborah Sampson Street in her honor.

The Unitarian and Congregational churches in the center of Sharon have church bells manufactured by Paul Revere.

By car
Exit 8 of Interstate 95 is on the Sharon/Foxborough border, with access to both the northbound and southbound directions of the highway. Exit 10 of Interstate 95 is on the Sharon/Walpole line, with access to the northbound direction of the highway and from the southbound direction. Exit 9 of Interstate 95 is also in Sharon, located on Route 1. This exit allows North or Southbound access to I95.

In addition, Massachusetts Route 27 runs through the center of the town and leads to Route 1.

By plane

 * T.F. Green Airport in Warwick (Rhode Island) and Logan International Airport in Boston.

By train

 * The local regional rail system is the MBTA Commuter Rail. Sharon's stop lies between Mansfield and Canton on the main branch of the Providence/Stoughton line. Located on 1 Upland Road down the street from the center of town. If you are coming from Providence, the Commuter Rail is significantly cheaper ($4.75 from Providence Station from $5.25 from Providence's T.F. Green Airport, as of Dec 2020) than Boston ($8.75). Scheduled travel times are approximately 38 minutes from Providence, 25-30 minutes from Boston Back Bay Station, and 30-35 minutes from Boston South Station.
 * Amtrak 's Acela and Northeast Regional trains stop at Route 128 Station in nearby Westwood (as well as Providence Station further down the line). From there, backtrack on the Commuter Rail ($3.50 as of Dec. 2020, and 8-12 minutes depending on whether the train stops in Canton Junction) or take a taxi for the 10 to 12-mile journey to downtown Sharon.

See
In Sharon there are six historical properties or districts that are registered with the state. Of the six, five are listed on the National Register and three are certified local historic districts:

Do

 * Sharon has many scenic trails through the conservation land within the town's borders. Trails found in Sharon include the Massapoag Trail, the Warner Trail, the Bay Circuit Trail (known as the Beaver Brook Trail in Sharon), and the King Philip's Rock Trail. There are also trails at Borderland State Park and at Moose Hill Wildlife Sanctuary.

Sleep
There are only two hotels within the town boundaries of Sharon, although there is plenty of lodging in the nearby towns of Walpole, Foxborough, and Norwood, particularly along US-1 (though expect limited availability and high prices if the New England Patriots are at home or if Gillette Stadium is hosting a concert or other event).

title: Sharon (Massachusetts)


text:
Sharonville

Sharonville is a city mostly in Hamilton County in Ohio. A very small portion of the city extends into Butler County.

By Car
Sharonville is east of the intersection of I75 and I275.

title: Sharonville


text:
Sharpsburg

Sharpsburg is a small historic American village in Washington County in Western Maryland, home to Antietam National Battlefield.

Get in

Sharpsburg and Antietam National Battlefield are accessible only by car, although once you're there, the village itself is very easy to cover by foot. Sharpsburg is on MD-34, which connects with US Interstate 70 via MD-64 and US-40.

Understand
Sharpsburg is a small town, founded by a settler in 1763 after the French and Indian War, who named the settlement after then Maryland governor Sharpe. With less than 1,000 residents, it would be an overlooked quaint village if not for hosting one momentous and terribly bloody day in American history.

The Battle of Antietam
The Battle of Antietam was the bloodiest day in American Military History. 23,000 soldiers were killed, wounded or missing after twelve hours of savage combat on 17 September 1862. The Battle of Antietam ended the first Confederate invasion into the North and led to Abraham Lincoln's issuance of the preliminary Emancipation Proclamation.

The Battle of Antietam was the culmination of the Maryland Campaign of 1862, the first invasion of the North by Confederate General Robert E. Lee and the Army of Northern Virginia. Following a defeat at South Mountain, General Lee considered ending his campaign in the North and withdrawing to Virginia, but upon hearing of General Stonewall Jackson's victory at Harpers Ferry, he decided to make a stand at Sharpsburg.

The Confederate commander gathered his forces on the high ground west of Antietam Creek with Gen. James Longstreet's command holding the center and the right while Stonewall Jackson's men filled in on the left. Union General George McClellan focused the Union forces upon the left flank of the Confederate Army along the Sunken Road, and hammered away in brutal stalemate. Union General Ambrose Pierce led the planned assault upon the Confederate right flank seven hours into the battle, after General Lee had already transferred many troops to the left flank, but was held up in capturing the bridge that bears his name by a small Confederate force from a higher defensive position. After taking the bridge, General Pierce paused for two hours to reorganize his forces, delaying his assaults upon the Confederate right flank. By the end of the day, General McClellan's assault had failed to break either flank, leaving a large portion of his central forces out of play, leaving the brave efforts of his men in the fight nullified by his overly cautious assault. General McClellan left the battle embarrassed and in poor standing with the President. The tactical stalemate remained, both armies were decimated (nearly 1/4 of the men fighting), and Sharpsburg was nearly destroyed. General Lee, seeking to avoid a drawn-out battle of attrition with the larger Union forces, withdrew across the Potomac, ending his strategic campaign in the North.

This bloody battle, despite the underwhelming tactical performance by Union generals, marked a strategic turning point for the North, as General Lee would from this point be forced to fight on Confederate soil. Perhaps even more importantly, the "victory" here gave President Lincoln the opportunity to make his Emancipation Proclamation, thereby making the war no longer just an attempt to restore Union sovereignty over the South, but a greater cause of ridding the United States of the evil practice of slavery. This gave the Union an important boost in morale, and helped keep foreign powers leery of supporting the cause of slavery from aligning with the South.

Antietam National Battlefield

The battlefield is maintained by the National Park Service, and you can experience it in a number of ways:

 * Explore the museum exhibits in the
 * View the 26-minute introductory film "Antietam Visit" which is shown on the hour and the half-hour, except from noon to 1PM
 * Join a Park Ranger for a battlefield talk
 * Browse the
 * Take the self-guided 8.5-mile auto tour through the battlefield. The tour has 11 stops and begins at the
 * Take a self-guided hike on the, , , , , or
 * Visit the, +1 301 416-2395, summer: daily noon-5PM.

Do
Sharpsburg is not a town full of activities for travelers beyond visiting the battlefield, but it is right by the, which is a great place for biking, walks, camping, canoeing, and kayaking.

Go next

 * The natural next stops for visitors interested in Civil War sites are the incredible national battlefield at Gettysburg (one hour away) Monocacy (half hour) and Harpers Ferry (half hour).
 * Next door is the original Washington Monument at Boonsboro.
 * Crystal Grottoes offers underground cave tours, minutes from Sharpsburg.
 * The closest cities of any real size are Hagerstown and Frederick.

title: Sharpsburg


text:
Shasta Cascades

The Shasta Cascades region of California includes the northeast corner of the state, home to volcanoes, lush forests, high mountains, and clear lakes. California is the most populous state in the US, but you wouldn't suspect it from traveling through most of this region, which is generally wild and remote.

This is the southern end of a range that extends from British Columbia through Washington and Oregon.

Other destinations

 * - On May 22, 1915, an explosive eruption at Lassen Peak, the southernmost active volcano in the Cascade Range, devastated nearby areas and rained volcanic ash as far away as 200 miles to the east. This explosion was the most powerful in a 1914-17 series of eruptions that were the most recent to occur in the Cascades prior to the 1980 eruption of Mt. St. Helens.
 * - Lava Beds National Monument is a volcanic landscape created by the Medicine Lake volcano, which has erupted intermittently for approximately half a million years and was last active 900 years ago. While the above-ground landscape is impressive, it is underground where the park truly shines, as past eruptions have formed over 800 lava tube caves, many of which can be explored, and some of which extend for more than a mile.
 * - Park's features include: Whiskeytown Lake, Shasta Bally (6,209 ft.) and numerous waterfalls, providing outdoor enthusiasts opportunities for water recreation, hiking, mountain biking and horseback riding.

By bus
See "By bus" under "Get around" for a list of additional bus companies serving the area.

By train

 * Amtrak Coast Starlight makes an once daily trip in each direction between Seattle and Los Angeles through the area with stops in Klamath Falls, Dunsmuir, Redding, Chico and Davis.
 * Amtrak Thruway Bus Rt #3 Connects Redding to the San Joaquins (in Sacramento and Stockton) and the Capitol Corridor (in Sacramento only) via Red Bluff, Chico Oroville, Marysville, Davis, Sacramento, Elk Grove and Lodi.

By plane
The Redding Municipal Airport in Redding is the only major airport for general aviation with limited commercial service by Skywest Airlines dba United Express nearest to Chico, Redding, and the Siskiyous. The next nearest airports for commercial flights with additional airlines are in Medford Rogue Valley Airport located  north of Redding, and in Sacramento International Airport  located  south of Redding. Some of which may be closer to your final destination than Redding. All are directly accessed from the I-5 corridor. From the airport most travelers rent a car and continue to their final destination.

By bus
The below are local county operated buses connecting the cities and towns across rural areas in the region as public transportation. Outside of the main cities and towns they do not necessarily run daily and are on very limited schedules so check schedules closely before using this option especially for travel across longer distances:

Go next

 * North Coast, to the west
 * Sacramento Valley and the Gold Country, to the south
 * Western Nevada, to the east
 * Southern Oregon, to the north

title: Shasta Cascades


text:
Shasta County

Shasta County is in the Shasta Cascades region of California. The county is a land of mountains, lakes and rivers, in particular massive Shasta Lake, California's largest reservoir and the "houseboat capital of the world". Several spectacular waterfalls can be found in the county, including the 129 ft Burney Falls, which Theodore Roosevelt described as "the Eighth Wonder of the World", and McCloud River Falls, which is actually three scenic waterfalls.

Get in

 * Redding Municipal Airport : has flights from Los Angeles International Airport and San Francisco International Airport with United Express.

By train
Redding is served by Amtrak via its daily Coast Starlight service, running between Los Angeles and Seattle.

Go next

 * - Shasta County's northern neighbor is dominated by 14,179 ft Mount Shasta, the west coast's second-tallest volcano, towering nearly 10,000 ft above its surroundings; while a summit climb requires advanced mountaineering skills, its lower slopes are great for hiking, backpacking and cross-county skiing. The Volcanic Legacy Scenic Byway links Mount Shasta to Lava Beds National Monument in the county's northeast, home to over 800 lava tube caves, several of which are open to exploration.  The county is also a premier destination for birdwatchers, with nearly two million birds passing through Lower Klamath National Wildlife Refuge and Tule Lake National Wildlife Refuge during migrations, and North America’s largest concentration of snow geese arriving in spring.
 * - Shasta County's northeastern neighbor is in California's northeast corner and is home to only about 10,000 people, or slightly more than two people per square mile. Modoc County's northern and western portions have been shaped by volcanism, as evidenced by the many lava flows, cinder cones, hot springs, and volcanic mountains that visitors will encounter, while the Warner Mountain range and its many alpine lakes are found in the county's eastern side.  The county is home to several wildlife refuges where bald eagles, peregrine falcons, goshawks, golden eagles, mule deer, elk, wild horses, wild burros and pronghorn antelope can be seen.
 * - Located east of Shasta County, rural Lassen County sits at the confluence of the majestic Sierra Nevada mountains, the volcanic Cascade Range, and the high elevation Great Basin desert. Fishing, biking, hiking, and other outdoor activities attract most visitors to the area, with the 26 mi Bizz Johnson trail the county's most popular hiking and biking route.  "The Bizz" follows the old Fernley and Lassen Branch Line of the Southern Pacific railroad along the Susan river canyon, traversing abandoned railroad bridges, trestles and tunnels and rewarding visitors with mountain views, beautiful fall foliage, and colorful spring wildflowers.
 * - Located southeast of Shasta County, the forests, rivers and mountains of Plumas County were originally inhabited by Native Americans before miners arrived during the Gold Rush, followed soon after by loggers, and today tourists visit the county for its camping, fishing, whitewater, snowshoeing, and other outdoor opportunities. The Feather River Scenic Byway is a popular way to see the county's beauty, with the east-west route following California's first designated wild and scenic river past nearly one hundred waterfalls, historic bridges and tunnels, spring wildflowers, vivid fall colors, and the "Stairway of Power" consisting of seven hydroelectric powerhouses installed along the river.
 * - Shasta County's southern neighbor, Tehama County has a quintessentially "western" feel, with most county residents employed in ranching, timber or farming, and most tourists drawn to the region for fishing, boating, hiking, and other outdoor activities. The county's largest town, Red Bluff, has a population of only about 15,000 inhabitants, but hosts the Red Bluff Round-Up, one of the west's largest annual rodeos, each spring.  While there are numerous streams and rivers, the Sacramento River is the largest, intersecting the county and offering excellent fishing for rainbow trout, king salmon, chinook salmon, steelhead, smallmouth bass, sturgeon, and striped bass.
 * - One of only three California counties with no incorporated cities, rugged Trinity County lies among the Salmon and Klamath Mountains along the Trinity River. The county seat of Weaverville is home to some of California's oldest buildings, with the state's second oldest courthouse (built in 1856), a drugstore that has filled prescriptions since 1852, and California's oldest Taoist Temple (operating since 1873).  Those looking for outdoor adventure will find numerous opportunities for camping, backpacking, rock climbing, boating, rafting/kayaking, hunting, and fishing, with Trinity Lake in particular a favorite spot for houseboat rentals.

title: Shasta County


text:
Shasta Lake

Shasta Lake is a city in Shasta County in the Shasta Cascades region of California.

Get in

 * There is an express route from the RABA (Redding Area Bus Authority) downtown terminal in Redding, 777 Cypress Ave., Phone: +1 530 225-4170, Phone (express routes information only): +1 530 241-2877, Phone (express routes information only, toll-free): +1-800-803-7222, Email: [mailto:rabastaff@ci.redding.ca.us].
 * If you don't want to take a bus, drive. California State Route 151 goes north from Redding to here.

Get around
Interstate 5 is a major route that takes you to Shasta Lake. Lake Boulevard takes you to Shasta Dam.

Do
Shasta Lake is the center of activity for this place. All kinds of watersports go on here, including a lot of houseboating.

Buy
There are no major shopping areas in Shasta Lake City.

title: Shasta Lake


text:
Shaver Lake

Shaver Lake is a vacation community less than an hour east of Fresno on the western slopes of the central Sierra Nevada Mountain Range, between Yosemite National Park and Sequoia National Park.

title: Shaver Lake


text:
Shawan

Shawan is a city in East Sichuan.

title: Shawan