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Tynset

Tynset is a rural municipality Hedmark county, Norway. Tynset is known for its vast areas of forest and mountain, which are ideal for skiing, walking, cycling, hunting, and fishing.

Understand
The municipality of Tynset spans 1,880 km², and was home to 5,600 people in 2022.

The administrative centre of the municipality is the village of Tynset. Other villages in Tynset include Fådalen, Fåset, Telneset, Tylldalen, and Yset.

Tynset lies in the upper quadrant of Norway's longest valley, Østerdalen at an elevation of approximately 480 metres above sea level.

The river Glåma has several side rivers including the Sivilla and Ya. The Fådalen valley and the lake Savalen have many tourist activities. The lakes Innerdalsvatnet and Falningsjøen also lie in the municipality.

Tynset has many wildlife areas including the geological formation at Ripan and Gammeldalen. At Ripan, there is a lake formed by glaciation during the last ice age and at Gammeldalen there are some beautifully formed corries from the same period.

Tynset has many historic mountain farms (seter) that are still in use in the high parts of the countryside. It is possible to visit these farms while hiking. Tynset municipality also rents chalets, which used to belong to some of these mountain farms.

By road
The main Norwegian National Road 3 runs through the municipality (it is the shortest route between the cities of Oslo and Trondheim). The Rondevegen road connects Tynset to Lillehammer (to the south), Røros (to the northeast), and continues further into Sweden. County Road 30, which passes through Rendalen, also continues through Tynset into Sweden.

By train
The Rørosbanen railway line connects Tynset with the major cities of Oslo and Trondheim.

By plane
Røros Airport, 55 km (34.2 mi) away, is part of the national network. Tynset also hosts an aerodrome that is used by smaller aircraft.

See

 * Kvikne Mines in Odden. The remains of mining operations begun in 1632. (60 min from the municipal center of Tynset).
 * Vollan Farm and Chapel. The farm was built in the mining period, the earliest part of which dates from the 17th century. This is one of the few farms in the country with its own private chapel. (45 min from Tynset village)
 * Tynset Bygdemuseum. Tynset's village museum is 1 km from the town centre and contains exemplar housing from early times to the present.
 * Ramsmoen museumssenter: Exhibitions throughout the year, located in the centre of Tynset.
 * Tylldalen bygdetun. Tylldalen's village museum (20 min from Tynset village) A biennial play for St. Olav's Day is Norway's second oldest historical outdoor play.)
 * Tynset Bygdemuseum. Tynset's village museum is 1 km from the town centre and contains exemplar housing from early times to the present.
 * Ramsmoen museumssenter: Exhibitions throughout the year, located in the centre of Tynset.
 * Tylldalen bygdetun. Tylldalen's village museum (20 min from Tynset village) A biennial play for St. Olav's Day is Norway's second oldest historical outdoor play.)
 * Tynset Bygdemuseum. Tynset's village museum is 1 km from the town centre and contains exemplar housing from early times to the present.
 * Ramsmoen museumssenter: Exhibitions throughout the year, located in the centre of Tynset.
 * Tylldalen bygdetun. Tylldalen's village museum (20 min from Tynset village) A biennial play for St. Olav's Day is Norway's second oldest historical outdoor play.)
 * Ramsmoen museumssenter: Exhibitions throughout the year, located in the centre of Tynset.
 * Tylldalen bygdetun. Tylldalen's village museum (20 min from Tynset village) A biennial play for St. Olav's Day is Norway's second oldest historical outdoor play.)
 * Tylldalen bygdetun. Tylldalen's village museum (20 min from Tynset village) A biennial play for St. Olav's Day is Norway's second oldest historical outdoor play.)

Do

 * Skiing: In many areas are signposted paths and ski tracks are ploughed in winter.
 * Garborgdagan. An annual festival built around the work of the authors Hulda Garborg and Arne Garborg. Held in Tynset kulturhus and at Kolbotn, Garborg's home for many years.
 * Tynsetutstillinga. An annual exhibition held in Galleri Elgen in Tynset kulturhus, featuring well-known Norwegian artists.
 * Vollandagan: An annual festival connected with the traditional life of Vollan.
 * Tynsetutstillinga. An annual exhibition held in Galleri Elgen in Tynset kulturhus, featuring well-known Norwegian artists.
 * Vollandagan: An annual festival connected with the traditional life of Vollan.

Sleep
There are a few places to sleep in Tynset.

title: Tynset


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Tyre

Tyre (Arabic: Sour صُوْر) is the fourth-largest city in Lebanon. It is particularly noteworthy for its stunning and clean beaches (unlike those at Sidon) as well as some of the finest examples of Roman architecture in the world. Situated on a peninsula, it is the largest city in the south of the country after Sidon.

Tyre is the base of the UNIFIL headquarters which operates in the south of the country, and monitors the border region between Lebanon, Israel and the occupied territories and Syria. Don't be surprised to see UN troops out and about in this town, which is generally very safe for visitors.

By bus
The cheapest way of getting into Tyre is by private bus. Large, air-conditioned buses go from Cola Junction, Beirut, throughout the day for approximately US$4 and take about 2½ hr.

By minibus
Privately run minibuses also go frequently throughout the day and late into the evening from Cola Junction, Beirut and from the bus station in Sidon. They take a variety of routes and will often stop and start throughout the journey to let passengers on and off.

Minibuses that go via the coastal roads are much slower (Beirut to Tyre can take 3-4 hr), but some minibuses will take the motorway route (2½ hr from Beirut, about 1hr from Sidon). Prices are usually 2–3,000 Lebanese lira from Beirut.

Do check when you get on board how much the price is as tourists will often be charged more than locals. If you're not sure how much the fare should be, try speaking to someone on the bus - many people speak English and you will very likely find someone to help you out.

By private taxi
There are two ways to get to Tyre via taxi - the first is a simple private hire (US$80-90 from Beirut, per car), or the  'service'  option where you can share with other people who are travelling in a similar direction (US$10 would be reasonable from Beirut to Tyre). The journey will take approximately 2½ hr from Beirut, depending on any stops that have to be made.

Checkpoint information
A number of military checkpoints operate on the roads between Beirut, Sidon and Tyre. There are also occasionally other checkpoints which are run by Hezbollah soldiers. If you bus or taxi is asked to stop, make sure you have your passport to hand, and take off any sunglasses or hats to ensure proper identification. Generally you will be waved through without any further problems. Do not be alarmed if you are asked why you are travelling.

Get around
Without a doubt the best way to get around Tyre is on foot. The beachfront and main roads are all within 5-10 min walk from each other. The Al Bass Archaeological site is slightly further away and a taxi may be the easiest option to get there.

Taxis are pretty cheap and some are even comfortable to travel in. Some are the registered yellow taxis that operate throughout the country, but many are private cars, often in varying states of repair (from virtually new to over 40 years old in some cases). A rough rule of thumb is that a short ride in a 'service' - or shared taxi - will cost approximately 2,000LL, with longer journeys costing up to 5,000LL. Always check the price before entering the taxi, and check whether it is a taxi (and therefore private and more expensive) or a service (which will stop to pick up other passengers on the way, and is much cheaper).

Traffic is typical Lebanese: if you want to go, you must go regardless of the 'western' way of thinking in the traffic. This means that drivers frequently won't give way unless they absolutely have to, and lanes and road signage are frequently ignored. Of course, do ask your driver to slow down if you don't feel safe.

See

Although frequently eclipsed by the grandeur of Beirut and the bustling souq of Sidon, Tyre is a beautiful and enjoyable city in its own right. However its small size and distinctive position in the deep south of the country mean that most tourists never get this far. The city's main draw is the astonishing ruins of old Tyre, including the world's best-preserved Roman Hippodrome, have been inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage site since 1984. Enjoying the beautiful beaches and excellent local cuisine is also a favorite pastime for both locals and visitors.

Do
The souq situated next to the Christian district, is a lively and atmospheric marketplace. Although it does not have the splendour of the large and tourist-driven souq in Sidon, it offers good prices on everything from souvenirs to fresh fish caught that morning.

The beach is known throughout Lebanon as being the cleanest and most beautiful in Lebanon, with families from around the country flocking there in the summer. During the summer months (May–September) there are a large number of beach cafes which operate from the huts. Prices can be expensive, but it is a perfect spot for sunbathing and enjoying the impressive waves. During the summer, the sea is warm enough to swim in at night, making it a special place. Moreover, you can rent a fishing boat (FLOkA) and take a tour around the seaside of Tyre or you can navigate to the rocky islands (ZEERRE) where you can find amazing spots for diving. Also renting a jetski can be fun, you can find dealers everywhere around the see.

The Christian district at the Western tip of the peninsula is a higgledy-piggledy area with thin roads and lovely hidden shops. It's worth spending some time walking around this nice little enclave, though do remember that these are peoples' homes and that you shouldn't enter any open doors unless invited.

Eat

 * Le Phenicien: fish and seafood, excellent cuisine, beer, wine liquors
 * Skandars: Lebanese and international cuisine, beer, wine liquors
 * Al Nabeel's Cake Shop: famous Lebanese speciality cake shop, wonderful and kind staff and some of the most amazing cakes you will ever eat
 * The Resthouse: Lebanese and international cuisine, beer, wine liquors
 * Al Fanar: Lebanese and international cuisine, beer, wine liquors
 * Tyros: Fish, Lebanese and international cuisine, beer, wine liquors
 * Baquettos: Fast food

Drink
Next to the port you can find several minimarkets who could sell all kind of alcohols.

In summer you can experience one of the best sensations by taking a beer and a narghile on the beach at AL Jamal sea side or at the sandy side next to rest house hotel where you can find several hut restaurants in addition to the amazing bar in the rest house beach.

At night you can take a drink at ALbadawe cafe, Nocean, Fanar, Skandar, Tyros and several restaurant found on the corniche side.

Sleep
Perhaps the best-known place for visitors to stay is the Resthouse hotel on the beach. The beach and the pool is exclusively only to the hotel's guests although others can use them too by paying a small fee - this fee is mostly to keep 'unwanted people' off the premises. At the beach you can order drinks, narghile, rent a sun chair or perhaps attend a diving course.

Go next
The main pickup point for minibuses to Sidon and Beirut is the bustling Al Bass roundabout, just outside the Al Bass Palestinian Refugee Camp. A number of touts operate in this area and will try to get you on their minibus before you go on another. Be assertive with them - ask their destination and the price in advance. Keep a hold of your luggage - a common trick is for them to grab your luggage and stow it on the minibus before you get a chance to complain. However, don't worry too much - the negotiation is all part of the fun.

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

title: Tyre


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Tyrol

 * This article is about the Austrian region. For the Italian part of Tyrol, see South Tyrol.

Tyrol is one of the Lande (states) of Austria, in the heart of the Alps. It consists of North and East Tyrol, separated by a strip of Salzburg and Italy. North Tyrol consists of eight districts; East Tyrol of just one, Lienz. The historical region extends into modern Italy.

Regions
These subregions are the administrative districts, which don't really correspond to tourist or travel regions. As most roads follow the valley and passes between them, the natural regions are valleys (German: tal). The Lower Inn Valley is large and covers much of central Tyrol.

Innsbruck Land and Innsbruck Stadt

 * — the state capital
 * — home of the Swarovski Crystal Company
 * — home of the Swarovski Crystal Company
 * — home of the Swarovski Crystal Company
 * — home of the Swarovski Crystal Company

Kitzbühel

 * – a medieval town; famous and exclusive ski resort

Kufstein

 * — last Austrian town in the Inn valley near the German border

Landeck

 * – in Stanzer Valley
 * – in Paznaun Valley
 * – in Paznaun Valley
 * – in Paznaun Valley
 * – in Paznaun Valley
 * – in Paznaun Valley

Reutte

 * — a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts year-round at the foot of the Zugspitze, Germany's highest peak
 * — a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts year-round at the foot of the Zugspitze, Germany's highest peak

Schwaz

 * – The largest town in the Achen Valley and popular ski resort in winter with extensive ski infrastructure. It sits at the border with Bavaria.
 * – In the Achen valley
 * – In the Achen valley
 * – A small town deep in the Rofan mountain range
 * – ski area with thermal
 * – In the Achen valley
 * – A small town deep in the Rofan mountain range
 * – ski area with thermal

East Tyrol

 * – at Großglockner
 * – at Großglockner

Other destinations
Innsbruck Land and Innsbruck Stadt:
 * – a Glacier

Imst:

Kufstein:

Landeck:

Schwaz:
 * — the largest alm in Europe and one of the most remote settlements in the Alps

East Tyrol:
 * – at the largest nature reserve in the Alps, including the Grossglockner and Grossvenediger massifs.

Understand

North Tyrol borders the German state of Bavaria to the north, Vorarlberg to the west, the Swiss canton Graubünden to the south-west, Salzburg to the east. South Tyrol is in Italy, part of Trentino-Alto Adige.

Like its sister provinces of Bavaria in Germany and Salzburgerland in Austria, Tyrol is the very definition of the Germanic Alpine stereotype. Full of romantic lakes and castles and beer-drinking lederhosen-clad locals playing oom-pa-pa music and marching in bands, the place can seem a bit of a fairy tale to the visitor at times. Innsbruck is the only real "bigger" city, with the rest a beautiful natural panorama. The roads get clogged with tourists in the summer and winter months.

Talk
As in nearly all of Austria, Austro-Bavarian is the main everyday spoken language of Tyrol (except in Reutte district where it is Alemannic). The Tyrolean dialect is even often tricky to understand for residents of eastern Austria (including Vienna) let alone from northern Germany. But, as in all of Austria, standard (Austrian) German is the official language used in all official publications and schools, so the vast majority speaks it, and in Innsbruck basically everyone is fluent. English is spoken by most educated middle aged and young people, and Italian is also quite prevalent due to the proximity of the South Tyrolian border and a small immigrant community in Innsbruck. Tyroleans greet each other with Servus rather than the more common Grussgott elsewhere in Austria.

By plane
The main entry point by air is the  which has scheduled flights to Vienna Airport, Frankfurt Airport, London, Amsterdam Schiphol, Graz, Nice, Hannover, Stavanger, Alghero, Gothenburg and Olbia. EasyJet also offers weekly low cost direct flights from Bristol on Fridays. Schedules may differ in winter.

Munich Airport, 2.5 hours away by road transport, is another alternative. There are vans that will meet you at Munich Airport and take you directly to your lodging in or around Innsbruck for the price of a comparable train ticket.

The has a  asphalt runway but no scheduled services.

By train
Considering the topography rail connections are impressive and a highly scenic and relaxing way to see the Tyrol. Trains also connect the "three Tyrols" via rail and tunnels.

Innsbruck has connections to all major cities in Austria such as Vienna, Graz, Salzburg, Linz and Bregenz.

Between Munich and Innsbruck, there is usually one train per hour with stops at Kufstein, Wörgl and Jenbach and trip times between 2:20 and 2:50.

See Austrian Federal Railways (ÖBB) site.

By ski
Skiing into Tyrol is very easy from Switzerland when crossing the Silvretta above Samnaun. The mountain ridge is the border between Switzerland and Austria, and multiple lifts take skiers to the ridge from either side. Descending the mountain on one side leads back to Switzerland, the other side leads into Tyrol. There is no border checkpoint for obvious practical reasons and because both countries are members of the Schengen treaty, but skiers with a keen eye for detail may notice a ceremonial border guard who "patrols" the border on skis!

Get around
The alpine geography creates obvious chokepoints for both road and rail traffic and during busy times there may be restrictions on driving with visitors using local roads having to prove they are indeed visiting local accommodation and not transiting the country. Many road and rail tunnels have already been built, but the politically contentious situation is likely to remain difficult until the opening of the Brenner Base Tunnel which will hopefully divert a significant share of transiting freight transport from road to rail. If you can arrange a rail based troop to your destination, do so for the sake of your own sanity.

Do

 * Erlebnistherme Zillertal in Kapfing has indoor and outdoor pools and wellness including water slides and fun park.
 * Erlebnistherme Zillertal in Kapfing has indoor and outdoor pools and wellness including water slides and fun park.

Eat

 * Tiroler Speck - a juniper-flavored ham

Go next

 * Bolzano/Bozen — capital of South Tyrol
 * Brenner Pass and Timmelsjoch are scenic ways of getting into Italy.

title: Tyrol


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Tysons

Tysons, originally known as Tysons Corner, is in Fairfax County, Northern Virginia. It is best known for its shopping malls and restaurants.

Understand
The original Tyson's Corner was the intersection of Leesburg Pike (VA-7) and Chain Bridge Road (VA-123), named for 19th-century landowner William Tyson. Since the completion of the Tysons Corner Center shopping mall in 1968, it has developed rapidly into a central business district in its own right, home to many consulting and technology companies, a variety of restaurants, and the largest concentration of retailers in the area outside of Washington, D.C. This growth has manifested largely as suburban office parks and sprawling shopping centers, however. After a long wait, Phase 1 of the Metrorail Silver Line was opened in 2014, which has stations in Tysons.

By public transport
WMATA, which operates the DC Metrorail, operates several stations in Tysons. For more information on riding the Metrorail, see Washington, DC.

By car
There is plenty of free parking. Tysons is conveniently located right by the intersection of I-495 (the Capital Beltway), I-66, and VA-295.

Get around
Tysons is small enough to get around on foot, although it is quite auto-friendly.

Capital Bikeshare operates in Tysons.

Sleep
Many of the hotels that include "Tysons Corner" in their names are actually located in McLean and Vienna, as well as one in Falls Church.

Go next
Great (non-chain) food is not far away. Falls Church in particular has fabulous destination dining, just across the Beltway at 2941 Restaurant (contemporary American, and easily some of the best in the D.C. area), as well as some of the best Vietnamese food outside Vietnam, particularly at Eden Center.

title: Tysons


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Tyumen

Tyumen (Russian: Тюме́нь tyoo-MEHN) is a city in Western Siberia and the capital of Tyumen Oblast, the second largest region in Russia after Krasnoyarsk Krai, with a population of approximately 600,000 people.

Understand
Tyumen was founded in 1586 as the first Russian settlement in Siberia. During World War II, the city grew rapidly as many industries relocated further away from the war.

The region has plentiful oil resources and the city is now home to many companies in the Russian oil and gas industry. As a result, Tyumen has the highest GDP per capita of all cities in Russia, even higher than that of Moscow.

By train

All Trans-Siberian trains stop at Tyumen. Travel time is 36-48 hours from Moscow. is located at ulitsa Privokzal'naya, 22, south of the city centre.

By bus
Buses cost ₽12 or ₽14.

By taxi
Taxis are plentiful and you can even negotiate hourly rates.

Monuments
Tyumen has many unique statues and monuments.

 * Monument to the Homeless Dog
 * Monument to students from Tyumen Schools Who Did Not Come Back From The War
 * Monument to Conductor
 * Lenin Statue
 * Monument to Machine Tool Builders
 * Sculpture Harp
 * Father Statue
 * Happiness Tree Sculpture
 * Sculpture of Street Cleaner
 * Monument of Mother
 * Monument to the Janitor
 * Monument to Yuri Hervieu
 * Monument to Liquidators
 * Fountain-Monument to Tyumen Oblast
 * Monument to Afghan Soldiers
 * City Garden Monument
 * Monument to Country Doctor
 * Monument to the Postman
 * Monument to Workers in Rear Area
 * Monument to Grigoriy Rasputin
 * Globe Monument

Religious buildings

 * Church of the Saviour
 * Holy Trinity Men's Monastery
 * Znamenskiy Cathedral
 * Saint Archangel Michael Church
 * Holy Cross Temple
 * Saint George Ascension Church
 * Saint Dmitriy of Don Temple
 * Saint Nicholas Temple
 * The Temple in Honor of the Annunciation
 * Tyumen Chapel
 * Tyumen Synagogue

Museums

 * The Kolokolnikovs' Estate Museum Complex
 * City Council Local History Museum
 * Fine Arts Museum
 * Masharov's House Museum

Do

 * Walk along the embankment of the Tura River. Walk across the Bridge of Lovers, a pedestrian bridge.
 * Tyumen Drama Theatre - ul. Respubliki, 129 (+7 345 240-98-23)
 * Tyumen Puppet Theater

Parks

 * Tsvetnoy Park is a beautiful park that includes the Monument to the Homeless Dog.
 * City Park of Culture and Leisure
 * Forest Park of Gagarin
 * Park of Deputies
 * Gilevskaya Grove
 * Siberian Cats Park
 * Victory Park

Buy

 * Solnechnyy Mall
 * Premyer Mall
 * Galeria Voyage Mall

Eat
There is a McDonald's restaurant in the park at ul. Lenina #54.

Sleep
With the exception of some high-end hotels, all hotels and hostels offer free WiFi and many have computer terminals. Almost all accept credit cards. Hotels and hostels will usually provide a visa invitation and registration for an additional fee.

Learn
There are 3 universities and several colleges.

Consulates

 * 🇺🇦 Ukraine

title: Tyumen


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Tyumen Oblast

Tyumen Oblast (Russian: Тюме́нская о́бласть tyoo-MEHN-skuh-yuh OH-blust') is a region in Russia's Urals Region. The region borders Khantia-Mansia in the northwest and north, has a short border with Tomsk Oblast in the northeast, borders Omsk Oblast to the east, Kazakhstan to the south, Kurgan Oblast to the southwest, and Sverdlovsk Oblast to the west.

Cities

 * — Tyumen is one of the oldest cities of Asian Russia and one of Russia's wealthiest cities thanks to its large oil and gas industry
 * — 70 km from Tyumen, a very small town attracts tourists for its Rasputin museum
 * — this relatively small town is the historic capital of Siberia and is a "must see" of the Urals region for its architectural treasure, a white-walled Kremlin (the only Kremlin in Asian Russia) and accompanying ensemble of cathedrals, bell towers, and churches. The surrounding area is dotted with ancient pagan shrines and burial mounds.
 * — this relatively small town is the historic capital of Siberia and is a "must see" of the Urals region for its architectural treasure, a white-walled Kremlin (the only Kremlin in Asian Russia) and accompanying ensemble of cathedrals, bell towers, and churches. The surrounding area is dotted with ancient pagan shrines and burial mounds.

Understand
Tyumen Oblast actually encompasses the two territories to its north, Khantia-Mansia and Yamalia, making it the 3rd largest administrative division in Russia. The region around Tyumen is the heart of historic Siberia, with Tobolsk being the former capital of "Western Siberia," a region comprising today's Urals and Western Siberia. Some of history's most famous Siberians hail from this area, most notably Irving Berlin and Rasputin.

Even tourists just passing through this region should make a point of visiting Tobolsk for its magnificent and unique kremlin. Most will also visit historic Tyumen, the regional capital, located on the Trans-Siberian Railway.

Get in
Aeroport Roshchino

title: Tyumen Oblast


text:
Tywyn

Tywyn (formerly Towyn) is a town of 3,300 people (2011) and seaside resort in Gwynedd, Wales. Tywyn sits on the Cardigan Bay shoreline of Mid Wales and is surrounded by the green valleys and hills of Bro Dysynni, which form the south-western corner of the Snowdonia National Park. It is most famous as the home of the Talyllyn Railway, and also as the location for an early Marconi radio transmitting/receiving station.

Tywyn has attracted travellers for at least a thousand years, as the church of St Cadfan and its adjacent well have long been a site of pilgrimage. Modern pilgrims are more likely to "take the waters" somewhere along the 4 miles of sandy beach. In Welsh the name is pronounced [ˈtəwɨn] or [ˈtəwin], whereas the English pronunciation tends to be /ˈtaʊ.ɪn/.

The town
Tywyn is not a large town and is easy to get around on foot. Tywyn's main hub is the High Street, which runs west to east. The eastward extension of the High Street is College Green, which passes the Market Hall and St Cadfan's Church and runs into Corbett Square (the oldest part of the town). From here the main road leads out of town to the east and north. The westward extension of the High Street is Pier Road, which runs under a railway bridge down to the beach. The mainline station is found at the western end of the High Street, this is also where the buses stop. Running south-east from the mainline train station is Station Road, which leads past the High School to the Talyllyn Railway Wharf Station, at which point it becomes Brynhyfryd Road, leading east to the hospital, where it becomes Aberdyfi Road, the main road out of town to the south. Leading south-westwards from the junction of the High Street and College Green, Neptune Road crosses Station Road at Wharf Station, and continues to the beach at Neptune Hall. Marine Parade runs along the seafront, joining Neptune Road and Pier Road. The east end of town is known as Pendre, while the area between Station Road and the sea is known as Bron-y-Mor. From the west end of the High Street, Idris Villas leads north-west to the low-lying area of town known as Sandilands.

Bro Dysynni
Bro Dysynni is the name for the fertile agricultural hinterland to the east and north of Tywyn. Essentially, it covers the 2, parallel Valleys of the Dysynni and Fathew rivers. The area is easily explored on foot, bicycle, by car or by the Talyllyn Railway, or by a combination of these. There are a number of villages spread throughout the 2 valleys and along the coast.

 * Aberdyfi, 4 miles to the south, is another seaside resort, but with a very different feel to Tywyn. A good choice of accommodation and places to eat. Renowned golf course. Yacht Harbour with charter boats available for sea fishing or wildlife-spotting. Donkey rides on the beach and "crabbing" from the pier for the youngsters, kite-surfing and other adventure sports for big kids of all ages.
 * Abergynolwyn. The terminus of the Talyllyn Railway, 7 miles to the north-east of Tywyn. Former Slate Mining village. In its heyday, Abergynolwyn slate was much in demand, and many illustrious buildings, including the Palace of Westminster are roofed with it. The village pub is the Railway Inn, which serves good, locally sourced food. Traditional Welsh sing-a-longs have been known to break out in the bar at weekends. Good value homecooked food is also available at Caffi'r Ceunant in the village hall (booking essential for Sunday Lunch). Lovely waymarked walks in the forestry to the south of the village pass waterfalls and the old slate workings (look out for the innovative wind-up interpretive displays, which you power yourself), while the "Postman's Pass" to the north follows the Afon Dysynni river through to the adjacent valley, giving access to Castell-y-Bere and Craig-yr-Aderyn.
 * Bryncrug. 2 miles inland from Tywyn, where the Dysynni and Fathew valleys meet. The village pub, The Peniarth, serves meals.
 * Dolgoch. 5 miles from Tywyn in the Fathew Valley. A small private hotel and a number of holiday apartments, some of which are available as self-catering accommodation. A brick-built Victorian viaduct carries the Talyllyn Railway across a steep, wooded ravine, down which the Afon Fathew flows over some spectacular waterfalls, accessed by waymarked woodland walks. A great place for a walk when the weather is not so good, as the ravine and woodlands will shelter you from any wind, and the waterfalls are at their best after rain! Wear hiking boots or wellies if it's been raining unless you only plan to go to the bottom of the first set of falls.
 * Fairbourne and Friog. 2 villages either side of the mainline railway, about 10 miles to the north of Tywyn. Fairbourne a small holiday resort with its best days behind it. Does have its own narrow-gauge steam railway which links to a passenger ferry across the Mawddach Estuary to Barmouth.
 * Happy Valley (Cwm Maethlon). About a mile out of town on the Aberdyfi Road, take a (signed) left turn, to enter the peaceful green place that is Happy Valley. No village here, but cottages, farms and a church spread right along the valley of the Afon Dyffryn Gwyn river. The road continues over a pass to drop down to the village of Cwrt in the Dyfi valley. About a mile before the top of the pass, a car park on the right is the starting point for the short (but quite steep) walk up to Bearded Lake (Llyn Barfog) and a nearby echo. Also nearby is Carn March Arthur, a stone which legend states, bears the hoofprint of King Arthur's horse, left during a battle with a monster called the Afanc, which lived in the lake.
 * Llanegryn. Lovely little village across the Dysynni Valley from Bryncrug. Perhaps a little too quiet - due to the lack of any shop or pub. Visit Cil y Sarn farm on the road to Rhoslefain for delicious local wildflower honey (they display a board next to the road when it's in stock)
 * Llanfihangel-y-Pennant. Founded to support the nearby castle of Castell-y-Bere. Picturesque church and the cottage of Mari Jones.
 * Llangelynin. A few houses and an ancient church clinging to the cliff edge a couple of miles south of Llwyngwril. One of the graves in the churchyard is that of Abram Wood "The King of the Gypsies". On the wall inside the church is a horse bier which is a rare example of its type. Look out for the bowl-shaped stone at the right of the main door inside the porch - it's said to fill with water when rain is on the way.
 * Llwyngwril. Pretty seaside village (though with a disappointingly stoney beach), about 7 miles north of Tywyn. Has an atmospheric village pub, the Garthangharad. On the hillside above the village the remains of an old Iron Age hill fort, Castell y Gaer, can still be seen.
 * Rhoslefain. A scattering of houses and farms just before the main road north gets back to the coast between Llanegryn and Llwyngwril.
 * Talyllyn and Minffordd. 2 hamlets, at either end of the famous picture-postcard Talyllyn Lake (Llyn Mwyngil). About 10 miles north-east of Tywyn. In Talyllyn, is the Tynycornel hotel. The village church is notable for having 2 gates - 1 at the bottom of the hill for Talyllyn residents, the other at the top for worshippers coming over the hill from Corris. Minffordd is one of the main starting points for the ascent of Cadair Idris.

Get in
See also the Wales article for an overview of transport into, and across, the country.

By train
Tywyn is served by Cambrian Coast line trains on the Machynlleth to Pwllheli line, operated by Arriva Trains Wales. Connections from the UK National Rail network can be made via Shrewsbury and Machynlleth.

The narrow-gauge Talyllyn Railway also connects the town to the village of Abergynolwyn.

By bus
Bws Gwynedd services 28 and 30 from Machynlleth, Aberystwyth and Dolgellau stop outside the mainline train station. TrawsCymru cross-Wales services stop at Machynlleth and Dolgellau, with direct buses coming from Bangor in the north-west, Wrexham in the north-east, and Cardiff and Swansea (via Aberystwyth or Brecon) in the south. Service 30 does not run on Sundays or public holidays, and service 28 operates a severely restricted service on those days.

By car
Tywyn is on the A493 Machynlleth to Dolgellau road. Tywyn can be accessed from the UK motorway network at the M54 near Shrewsbury and M53 and M56 near Chester. Allow at least 90 minutes from leaving the motorways to arriving in Tywyn, though as the routes from both Shrewsbury and Chester are very scenic, many travellers will take much longer, stopping at places such as Welshpool, Ruthin, Bala, Dolgellau or Machynlleth en route.

By plane
There are no major airports in the immediate vicinity. Birmingham, Manchester or Liverpool airports are the closest, with Birmingham offering a simple rail connection to Tywyn via Shrewsbury and Machynlleth. Private aircraft can use Mid-Wales Airport,, at Welshpool (no scheduled flights), which is about an hour's drive from Tywyn, slightly longer if travelling by train. Plans for a similar facility at the former RAF Llanbedr, near Harlech are at an early stage.

By boat
Ferries from Ireland to Wales arrive at Holyhead (from Dublin) and Fishguard (from Rosslare). Buses from Holyhead via Bangor and Dolgellau. Buses from Fishguard via Cardigan and Aberystwyth to Machynlleth.

Visitors arriving by private yacht should make use of the harbour at nearby Aberdyfi. The Harbour Master can be contacted on.

By bus
Bus services in the area are provided by a number of operators, coordinated by the local authority under the Bws Gwynedd banner.

Tywyn
In the town, service 29 Clipa Tywyn does a regular circuit from the mainline train station to Sandilands and the Promenade and back via the Talyllyn Railway Wharf Station and the High Street (no service on Sundays or public holidays). Most reasonably able-bodied people will tend to walk as it's not a great distance.

Bro Dysynni
Service 28 Dolgellau-Tywyn-Machynlleth follows the coast road and serves local villages including Arthog, Fairbourne, Llwyngwril, Llanegryn, Bryncrug, Aberdyfi, Cwrt and Pennal. Service 30 Tywyn-Minffordd-Machynlleth serves Bryncrug, Abergynolwyn, Talyllyn, Minffordd, Corris. Service 30 does not run on Sundays or public holidays, and service 28 operates a severely restricted service on those days.

By rail
The Talyllyn Railway serves a number of stations and halts on its 7-mile journey from Tywyn Wharf station to Abergynolwyn. This can be useful if you're staying at one of the camp sites or B&Bs in and around the village of Bryncrug.

The mainline railway serves Aberdyfi, Tonfanau, Llwyngwril and Fairbourne.

Talk
You will hear both English and Welsh (Cymraeg) spoken around the town. According to the 2001 census, 40.5% of the town's population were Welsh speakers. This is almost twice the national average (20.5%), but considerably less than the average for Gwynedd (68.7%). By local standards then, Tywyn is a relatively "English" town. As with anywhere in Wales, visitors will encounter no problems conversing in English, though a "Bore da" (Good morning) or "Diolch" (thank-you) will always be appreciated. Check out the Welsh phrasebook for more phrases and a pronunciation guide.

Wildlife
Marine mammals including dolphins, porpoises and seals, can often be seen from Tywyn seafront. Cardigan Bay is home to one of only two breeding groups of Bottle-nosed Dolphins around the UK coast. The other can be found in the Moray Firth in North-west Scotland.

The Broadwater is the local name for the estuary of the Dysynni river. It's around a mile to the north of the town. Follow The Gwalia, the narrow road between St Cadfan's Church and the cinema. This runs straight across a flat flood plain, in between irrigation ditches, until it reaches the river. The Broadwater is an important nesting site for wildfowl, including moorhen, coots, swans, grebes and various species of duck, including the Red-Breasted Merganser, for which the Broadwater is said to be the most southerly nesting spot in the UK.

Craig-yr-Aderyn (Bird Rock) is around 5 miles to the north-west of Tywyn in the picturesque Dysynni Valley. The rock plays host to the only inland nesting colony of cormorants in Europe. Other birds including choughs and peregrines also nest on the rock, which used to host to a small number of feral goats that gave their name to the steep path Llwybr y Geifr down from the rock. Remnants of an Iron Age hillfort can be found on the summit.

Until their re-introduction to parts of England and Scotland, this area was home to the only remaining Red Kites in the UK. The other commonly seen raptor in the area is the buzzard.

With the exception of the rabbit, wild land mammals in the area tend to be very shy (and also largely nocturnal) and are therefore rarely seen. foxes, badgers, hares, stoats, weasels and polecats are all present in the area, as are various species of mice, voles and shrews.

Outdoor pursuits

 * Hillwalking

 * There is much good Hillwalking available in the area, which forms the southernmost part of the Snowdonia National Park. The largest (892m/2927ft) and best known mountain is Cadair (sometimes spelt Cader) Idris, which is the second most climbed mountain in Wales. The most popular and one of the best routes is the Minffordd Path which starts from the hamlet of the same name. The mountain can also be climbed from the village of Llanfihangel y Pennant at the head of the Dysynni valley, and there are also a number of paths from the northern side, accessed from Dolgellau. The lower Tarren range of hills provide excellent walking, without the crowds that can sometimes be found on Cadair Idris. Ordnance Survey Explorer Map sheet OL23 Cadair Idris and Bala Lake is essential.

 * Legend has it that there are only 3 potential outcomes if you spend the night on Cadair Idris. Either you will die in the night, you will wake up insane, or you will wake up as a bard (poet). If you want to test this out then there are some excellent wild camping spots on the shores of Llyn (lake) Cau (accessed from Minffordd), or Llyn y Gadair on the Dolgellau side. Check out the article on Leave-no-trace camping before you go.

 * Surfing. In the right conditions, Tywyn beach can offer fine surfing. Surfers tend to gather around the concrete slipway at the south end of the main promenade. The best surf is often to be found just north of this point but as wind, swell and tide change it can be worth checking out other parts of the beach, particularly The Pipe, an outlet pipe (nothing nasty, it carries the Afon Dyffryn Gwyn river for the final few yards on its journey to the sea) covered by rocks, a short distance further south. Speak to local surfers or watch the waves yourself from the sea wall before picking your spot). In a large swell, there is also a break at the nearby village of Llwyngwril, however, this is rocky and for experienced surfers only.
 * Surfing. In the right conditions, Tywyn beach can offer fine surfing. Surfers tend to gather around the concrete slipway at the south end of the main promenade. The best surf is often to be found just north of this point but as wind, swell and tide change it can be worth checking out other parts of the beach, particularly The Pipe, an outlet pipe (nothing nasty, it carries the Afon Dyffryn Gwyn river for the final few yards on its journey to the sea) covered by rocks, a short distance further south. Speak to local surfers or watch the waves yourself from the sea wall before picking your spot). In a large swell, there is also a break at the nearby village of Llwyngwril, however, this is rocky and for experienced surfers only.
 * Surfing. In the right conditions, Tywyn beach can offer fine surfing. Surfers tend to gather around the concrete slipway at the south end of the main promenade. The best surf is often to be found just north of this point but as wind, swell and tide change it can be worth checking out other parts of the beach, particularly The Pipe, an outlet pipe (nothing nasty, it carries the Afon Dyffryn Gwyn river for the final few yards on its journey to the sea) covered by rocks, a short distance further south. Speak to local surfers or watch the waves yourself from the sea wall before picking your spot). In a large swell, there is also a break at the nearby village of Llwyngwril, however, this is rocky and for experienced surfers only.
 * Surfing. In the right conditions, Tywyn beach can offer fine surfing. Surfers tend to gather around the concrete slipway at the south end of the main promenade. The best surf is often to be found just north of this point but as wind, swell and tide change it can be worth checking out other parts of the beach, particularly The Pipe, an outlet pipe (nothing nasty, it carries the Afon Dyffryn Gwyn river for the final few yards on its journey to the sea) covered by rocks, a short distance further south. Speak to local surfers or watch the waves yourself from the sea wall before picking your spot). In a large swell, there is also a break at the nearby village of Llwyngwril, however, this is rocky and for experienced surfers only.
 * Surfing. In the right conditions, Tywyn beach can offer fine surfing. Surfers tend to gather around the concrete slipway at the south end of the main promenade. The best surf is often to be found just north of this point but as wind, swell and tide change it can be worth checking out other parts of the beach, particularly The Pipe, an outlet pipe (nothing nasty, it carries the Afon Dyffryn Gwyn river for the final few yards on its journey to the sea) covered by rocks, a short distance further south. Speak to local surfers or watch the waves yourself from the sea wall before picking your spot). In a large swell, there is also a break at the nearby village of Llwyngwril, however, this is rocky and for experienced surfers only.
 * Surfing. In the right conditions, Tywyn beach can offer fine surfing. Surfers tend to gather around the concrete slipway at the south end of the main promenade. The best surf is often to be found just north of this point but as wind, swell and tide change it can be worth checking out other parts of the beach, particularly The Pipe, an outlet pipe (nothing nasty, it carries the Afon Dyffryn Gwyn river for the final few yards on its journey to the sea) covered by rocks, a short distance further south. Speak to local surfers or watch the waves yourself from the sea wall before picking your spot). In a large swell, there is also a break at the nearby village of Llwyngwril, however, this is rocky and for experienced surfers only.

Buy
While nobody would describe Tywyn as a shopping mecca, it has so far escaped the "Tescofication" that has blighted much of the UK. It has a good variety of shops, almost all of which are located on the High Street, and its eastward extension, College Green. Early Closing day in Tywyn is Wednesday, when most shops do not open after lunchtime.

The Easter Fair is an annual street market which takes place on Easter Monday in the town centre. The market stalls return every Monday throughout the summer months on the market field behind the Corbett Arms Hotel.

Supermarkets

 * J. R. Baldwin - Spar High Street. Allegedly the biggest Spar shop in Europe. Was the town's only real supermarket until the arrival of newcomer.
 * Co-op Station Road. Right next to the station.
 * Tywyn Central Stores Neptune Road. . Right where Neptune Road meets the High Street. Much smaller than the 2 above, but handy if you're at the eastern end of town.

Eat
Tywyn has a great number of places to eat, mostly spread along the High Street and College Green. The bulk of these are informal cafe style places serving brunch, lunch and afternoon tea and open only during the daytime. Evening diners will find a smaller number of establishments available but there are still a number of good choices.

Town centre

Tywyn's 3 pubs are all within a hundred yards or so of each other at the east end of town. "The White" and "The Tred", as they are known locally, tend to be the busiest, with locals often moving between the two over the course of an evening. Those out on a session will often start with a couple of pints each in 2 or even all 3 of the pubs in nearby Aberdyfi before getting a taxi or train back to Tywyn in time for a couple more pints before closing time.

Local area

 * There are 3 pubs in Aberdyfi, four miles to the south on the main coast road or one stop to the south on the mainline railway.

All public buildings in Wales, including pubs, are now non-smoking.

Sleep
The Tourist Information Centre on the High Street can help with availability information and bookings.

Bed & Breakfast and self-catering cottages
There are a number of B&Bs in the town, especially on Pier Road. Out of town, many farms in the area also offer B&B and/or self-catering accommodation. This list is just a small selection.

Hostels and bunkhouses

The nearest YHA hostel to Tywyn is about 12 miles away in Penmaenpool, in the hills above the main A493 Dolgellau Road.

Camping
There are literally dozens of small campsites dotted around the Bro Dysynni area.

Beaches and coast
Tywyn Beach has a safe reputation due to its gently-shelving nature, but sensible precautions should still be taken. The promenade is covered by a Beach Patrol during summer months, but outside of this area there is no safety coverage. At the far southern end of the beach, near the mouth of the River Dyfi, tidal currents can be strong and unpredictable.

General advice for safe swimming:
 * A red flag means danger. Do not enter the water if the red flag is flying
 * Consider bathing at a beach that's under lifeguard protection
 * Don't swim alone at a deserted beach
 * Don't use inflatables. They are easily swept away by strong currents
 * If you see someone in trouble, call 999 and ask for Coastguard
 * Inquire about swimming conditions at local tourist offices prior to venturing to a beach without lifeguard cover
 * Read warning notices posted near beach access sites

Mountains
Snowdonia's mountains claim lives every year. The weather can change very quickly in this part of the World, and this is especially true in the mountains. Make sure you are wearing suitable clothing and footwear, and always carry a suitable map. Ordnance Survey 1:25000 scale Explorer Map OL23 Cadair Idris and Bala Lake is ideal, alternatively the 1:50000 scale Landranger series sheets 124 Dolgellau and Porthmadog and 135 Aberystwyth and Machynlleth.

Follow the Mountain Safety Code:

Before you go
 * Learn the use of map and compass
 * Know the weather signs and local forecast
 * Plan within your capabilities
 * Know simple first aid and the symptoms of exposure
 * Know the mountain distress signals
 * Know the country code

When you go
 * Never go alone
 * Leave written word of your route and report your return
 * Take windproofs, woollens and survival bag
 * Take map and compass, torch and food
 * Wear climbing boots
 * Keep alert all day
 * Avoid disturbance to farming, forestry and field sports

If there is snow on the hills
 * Always have an ice axe for each person
 * Carry a climbing rope and know the correct use of rope and ice axe
 * Learn to recognise dangerous snow slope

Stay healthy
In an emergency, dial 999 or 112 (ideally from a landline) and request ambulance, police, fire service or coastguard.

 * Bronglais District General Hospital, Aberystwyth. . The nearest Accident & Emergency unit. Open 24 hours.
 * Tywyn Memorial Hospital, Aberdyfi Road, Tywyn., or (out of hours). Local cottage hospital. Medical cover is provided by the local GP surgery from 8:30AM to 6:30PM.  The care is then taken over by the out of hours service.  The Minor Injuries Unit is open from 9AM to midnight and is staffed by a clinical practitioner.
 * The Health Centre, Pier Road, Tywyn. or  (out of hours). Local GP practice. Reception open M Tu Th F 8AM-6:30PM, W 8AM-12:30PM.
 * Central Pharmacy, 11 High Street, Tywyn. . Open M-Sa 9AM-1PM and 2-5:30PM.
 * Neptune Dental Surgery Neptune Road, Tywyn. . NHS and private dentist. Has an attached dental laboratory for any denture repair work.

Banks
There are 3 banks in the town, Barclays, HSBC and Natwest, all close to the eastern end of the High Street. All 3 have cash machines (ATMs).

Post Office
The town's Post Office can be found around half-way along the High Street, opposite the Tourist Information Centre.

Internet

 * Peniarth Arms, Bryncrug. Village pub with a Wifi Hotspot operated by BT Openzone
 * Peniarth Arms, Bryncrug. Village pub with a Wifi Hotspot operated by BT Openzone

Area code
Tywyn's area dialling code is 01654. To call from overseas, dial +44 1654 XXXXXX

Media

 * Cambrian News. Local English-language newspaper, published weekly. Covers Ceredigion, North Powys, South Gwynedd. Renowned for its occasionally bizarre headlines.
 * Dail Dysynni. Welsh-language monthly newspaper, dedicated to the Bro Dysynni area.
 * Radio Ceredigion 96.6-97.4 FM. Bilingual community radio station, broadcasting from Aberystwyth to the Cardigan Bay area.
 * BBC Radio Wales 882 and 657 AM.

Go next

 * Aberystwyth. The "capital" of mid-Wales, and once touted as national capital. Home to the National Library of Wales and one of the colleges of the University of Wales. A vibrant place during term time, quieter when the students have gone home, especially outside the summer months. Stand on Tywyn seafront and you can clearly make out the seafront of "Aber" a few miles to the south, where the coast of Cardigan Bay starts to sweep out to the west. Unless you've brought your speedboat, though, it's a 35-mile journey by road, as the first bridge across the River Dyfi is at Machynlleth. Better (though, if anything, slower) to travel by train (change at Machynlleth) which gives fantastic views of both sides of the Dyfi estuary and allows the opportunity to visit Machynlleth on the way back.
 * Dolgellau, 20 miles to the north on the other side of the Cadair Idris massif, was once the centre of a gold rush. The British royal family have traditionally worn wedding rings of Dolgellau gold. It also plays host to the Sesiwn Fawr world music festival every July.
 * Machynlleth is a pleasant market town with an "alternative" feel, 15 miles to the south-east. It hosts a regular street market every Wednesday, as well as being home to the Museum of Modern Art (MOMA). The Centre for Alternative Technology, a few miles north of the town, is well worth a visit. Just a short distance further north lies the village of Corris, with a number of craft shops.
 * The Cambrian Coast. The mainline railway station makes Tywyn an ideal base for exploring the west coast of Gwynedd, to the north of the town. The line generally sticks closely to the coast, with some spectacular views. Take advantage of the "North Wales Day Ranger" 2-zone ticket for just £7 for adults or £3.50 for kids (2009). This allows all day rail travel on the entire Cambrian Coast line from Machynlleth to Pwllheli, as well as bus travel in neighbouring areas and 50% off tickets for the Ffestiniog and Welsh Highland Railways. You can buy the ticket from the guard on the train.

 * The first major station to the north is at Barmouth, a busy seaside resort 25 minutes ride away, across the beautiful Mawddach Estuary. If you're heading straight back to Tywyn after seeing the sights of Barmouth, why not walk back across the bridge to properly take in those views of the estuary, and pick up the train again at Morfa Mawddach station (request only - signal with your hand to the driver that you wish to board the train), at the south end of the bridge. Most trains stop for around 10 minutes in Barmouth.

 * Twenty minutes (and several small village stations) beyond Barmouth, the train arrives at Harlech, dominated by its spectacular 13th-century castle. Contrast the style of this English built fortress with the Welsh built Castell-y-Bere.

 * From Harlech, it's another 15-minute ride to Minffordd, where you should alight to visit the Italianate village of Portmeirion, where cult TV series The Prisoner was filmed (Note that Portmeirion is about a 25 minute walk from the station). Minffordd station also offers connections with the narrow gauge Ffestiniog Railway to Blaenau Ffestiniog.

 * Just a few minutes beyond Minffordd the train arrives at Porthmadog, a pleasant port town, with a decent selection of shops and a small maritime museum. The town is named for Prince Madog who, legends tell, landed in Mobile Bay, Alabama, in 1170, thus discovering North America over 300 years before Columbus. Pothmadog is the terminus of two narrow gauge railways, the Ffestiniog and the Welsh Highland. The latter is expected to reopen along its full length in 2010, serving Beddgelert and Caernarfon and giving access to some of the paths to the summit of Snowdon.

 * A few minutes ride from Porthmadog brings the train to Criccieth, a seaside resort with another 13th-century castle (this time Welsh-built - note the great views across to Harlech Castle!), and finally to the end of the line at Pwllheli on the Lleyn Peninsula.

 * Even in summer there are only 6 or 7 trains per day in each direction (fewer in winter and on Sundays), so be sure to check the timetable (displayed at all stations) and make sure you know what time the last train back to Tywyn is due to leave.

title: Tywyn


text:
Tywyn (disambiguation)

There is more than one place called Tywyn or Towyn:

Wales

 * Tywyn - A town in Gwynedd, North Wales, home of the Talyllyn Railway.
 * Towyn - A town in Conwy (county). North Wales.
 * Porth Tywyn - the Welsh name for the village of Burry Port, near Llanelli, South Wales.

title: Tywyn (disambiguation)


text:
Tzaneen

Tzaneen is a large town situated in the Letaba district of the Limpopo Province, South Africa. It is in a fertile region with tropical and subtropical agriculture taking place in a 20,000 km² region. About 650 000 people residing within a 30-km radius.

There are different theories to were the name comes from and range from the Sotho words tsaneng (gathering place) to tsana (basket of hills).

Understand
Tzaneen is 420 km from Johannesburg.

Climate
Mostly sunshine, long summer days with pleasant winters. Tzaneen's subtropical conditions provides more suited weather for dense forests (high summer rainfall) than the thorny bushveld above the escarpment.

Summer months; September - March have an average temperature of 28°C and winter months around 15°C.

title: Tzaneen


text:
Tzintzuntzán

Tzintzuntzán is a town of 3,500 people (2010) on Lake Patzcuaro in the state of Michoacan, but the town is of little touristic value. The real magnet for foreign travelers is the Tzintzuntzan Archaeological Zone, which are the ruins of the once powerful capital of the Purhepecha people. Tsintsuntzan means 'where the temple of the messenger hummingbird god is located'. Onomatopoeia anyone?

History
Historical capital of at least one of the Purehpichan kingdoms whose magnificent yácata pyramids have been recovered despite the destruction under the Spanish conquest. The Purhepecha were a thorn in the side of the Spanish conquistadors, but they were a serious threat to the Aztec Empire which was never able to conquer the Purhepecha. This made the Purhepecha lands a de facto buffer zone between the Aztec and other, less powerful civilizations to the north and west.

The Purepecha people are thought to have settled in the Lake Patzcuaro region sometime between 1000-1250 AD. The capital was established at Tzintzuntzán around 1450, making it a relatively young civilization. At the time of the Spanish conquest, the city had a population between 25,000 and 30,000 people. Their language is unrelated to those spoken by other people of the region.

Tzintzuntzán is a large archaeological site. The historic capital covered an area of roughly 1,500 hectares. The city was largely abandoned after the Spanish conquest and was ignored by the government until the 1930s, when the first significant archaeological exploration occurred. In addition to the five round yácata pyramids, the site has an impressive Grand Platform measuring 450x250 meters, which is built into a hillside, as well as a number of smaller structures that were thought to be houses for priests. About 60 burial sites have been uncovered, all containing rich treasures, indicating that they were the resting places of kings or important individuals.

A site museum contains exhibits explaining the layout and uses of the site as well as relics recovered by archaeological explorations, not just at Tzintzuntzan, but at other Purepecha sites in Michoacan.

Get in
Drive over or take a combi from Patzcuaro or Quiroga.

By car
From Patzcuaro, drive north on federal highway MEX 120 for 18 km. The highway passes through the town of Tzintzutzan. If you are specifically coming to visit the archaelogical site, watch for the signs as you enter town and take the right fork onto Av. Las Yacatas.

Get around
Walking works fine.

See
The Yacatas for a small charge. Visit the historic church and convent (though a home to monks) that is being restored for an even smaller charge. The markets are known for fascinating cement sculptures, Christmas decorations and reed woven goods.

Festivals
The Night of the Dead around November 2 is quite busy and the cemeteries (pantheons) are magnificently dressed up in marigolds and attended to by families.

The Festival of Señor del Rescate is another important festival, and is celebrated during Carnival, just before Ash Wednesday (late February to early March).

Buy
Lead-free white clay, high temperature pottery, embroidered textiles with pre-Hispanic motifs, works with vegetable fibers.

Eat
Fish churipo, grain atole and corn products.

Go next

 * Quiroga
 * Erongarícuaro
 * Lake Patzcuaro
 * Janitzio

title: Tzintzuntzán


text:
Uaxactun

Uaxactún is a village and ancient Maya city in a remote area of Guatemala's Northern Lowlands, beyond the more famous ruins of Tikal.

Understand
Unlike nearby Tikal, Uaxactún is home to an actual modern village, with a population of about 1000 Guatemalans, which was founded around the year 1900 as a camp for people harvesting chicle, which used to be the main ingredient for chewing gum before it was replaced by synthetic alternatives. The village is built among the ruins of an ancient Maya city that was controlled by Tikal. The ruins here aren't as dense or numerous as those in Tikal, but are quite spread out around the outskirts of the village.

Because the modern village was found as a camp for commercial activities, its residents aren't descended from the people who built the ancient ruins, though many of its residents are Maya indigenous people from other parts of Guatemala. Early in its modern history the village was only accessible by an all-day mule ride from Tikal, but in the early 1900s an airstrip was built there, and many residents saw airplanes before they ever saw a car. Nowadays the airstrip has been abandoned in favor of vehicle transport along the new modern road, but still forms the grassy central green of the settlement.

When the whole north of Guatemala's Peten region was made into a protected forest reserve, Uaxactun's residents were allowed to stay, under the condition that they forage sustainably, don't hunt wild animals or raise cattle, and don't allow any new families to move in or purchase land. Today chicle is only harvested in small amount for artisanal chewing gum sold to tourists in Tikal, and the town's population largely survives on harvesting xate (SHAH-teh), a kind of ornamental palm frond used in the international florist industry. There is also commercial foraging for pimienta gorda, the natural ingredient known in English as "allspice". Though most households aren't involved in the tourism industry, the village does now see a steady trickle of foreign and outside visitors, mostly on day tours to the ruins or birdwatching spots.

Landscape
Because Uaxactun is a normal village, some of the land around it has been cleared in recent history, and it's not as densely forested as Tikal, though a couple kilometers in any direction will bring you to thick, unbroken jungle.

Flora and fauna
The wildife of Uaxactun is similar to Tikal, minus some species that prefer more pristine forest. Howler monkeys and spider monkeys are still common around the ruins, and animals like jaguars, anteaters, and tapirs are theoretically present in the area. Birdwatching is quite good - birdlife is perhaps more dense and visible in the village here than in Tikal, though it favors species that don't need dense jungle. Forest birding can also be good in the area, but it's recommended to get in touch with a local guide to take you to the best spots (which may be out of easy walking distance from the village center).

Climate
Uaxactun has a very hot and humid tropical climate, the same as Tikal. A rainy season in the northern hemisphere spring/summer can mean daily downpours.

Get in
To reach Uaxactun, you must pass through Tikal, where the road stops being paved and becomes a hard-packed but bumpy dirt road (high-clearance vehicle recommended, probably required later in the wet season). The drive is only 23 kilometers, but takes 1-2 hours depending on road conditions. You must have a permit to enter through Tikal, which can be easily bought alongside your Tikal tickets (see below).

Most travelers visit Uaxactun on a day tour, which can be booked in Flores or possibly at hotels in Tikal. It should also be possible to drive your own vehicle - you may want to inquire at the tourist information office on Flores Island to check if there are any special requirements for this. Note that if you arrive by public transit (see below), you will absolutely have to spend at least one night in Uaxactun, and almost certainly will want to spend two nights.

From Flores
As of June 2024, you can take a white bus (Q70, 3-4 hours) from the old market in Santa Elena (a few blocks from the bridge to Flores Island), which leaves once a day at about 14:00, though the tourist information office says that it's officially scheduled to leave at 12:00 - ask locally for the updated timing. There is another, smaller, black van (Q50, 3-4 hours) that leaves around 15:00, apparently from the south side of Santa Elena's Mercado Terminal Nueva. This one is lesser-known and maybe unofficial, so it may be trickier to verify information about it.

As of June 2024, The white bus leaves Uaxactun for Santa Elena/Flores (el pueblo) between 06:00 and 07:00 the following day, running up and down the main street occasionally honking. Since you'll arrive in the late afternoon and leave in the early morning, you'll probably want to stay two nights to see the Uaxactun ruins. In case you miss the bus or want a more intimate experience, the small black van is easy to catch at 07:00 from in from of the Restaurante Uaxactun (maybe make sure it's waiting there before passing up on catching the white bus). The black van will drop you farther from Flores Island, at the Mercado Terminal Nueva in southern Santa Elena.

From Tikal
As of June 2024, the white bus passes the garita de control at the entrance of the Tikal ruins at around 16:00 (Q20, 1-2 hours). Be prepared to wave it down, because it doesn't make a scheduled stop here, and may also arrive early. The Tikal park staff request that you show up to the entrance at 15:30 to trade in your Uaxactun permit for a bracelet.

By bicycle or foot
It is 23 km from Tikal along a hard-packed but bumpy dirt road. Permission to travel this road on foot or with a bicycle is at the discretion of the Tikal park staff. A mountain bike could in theory be a good option, and may be available for rent in Flores. Well-equipped and experienced runners have also been seen traversing the route.

By thumb
Hitchhiking to Uaxactun is probably tricky these days. There aren't many vehicles traveling the road beyond Tikal, and the Tikal park staff are unlikely to allow you onto that part of the road without a convincing transportation plan. It should be perfectly acceptable to hitchhike cars prior to the Tikal ruins entrance, but barely any of them will be continuing to Uaxactun, and you would still need to buy a Uaxactun permit from the Tikal ticket website, which applies per person rather than per vehicle. Entering the ruins on a Tikal park day ticket and hitchhiking on from there would be illegal, and you could get in trouble with the authorities if any staff catch you north of Tikal without a bracelet showing that you validated a Uaxactun permit at the ruins entrance.

By air
Though for decades Uaxactun was a fly-in community only easily accessible by plane, its airstrip has been disused since the early 2000s, and is bisected by a fence near the middle, so could dodgy to use even in an emergency. If money is no object, there's probably plenty of space to land a helicopter.

Fees and permits
There's no fee to explore the ruins at Uaxactun, but passing through Tikal to reach village requires a permit (boleta), sold in June 2024 for Q50 per person (foreign citizens) and purchased at the same places as tickets to the Tikal ruins (see below). Though the online ticketing system seems to say that all purchases must be accompanied by a Q150 Tikal park ticket, this is not actually true - if you're only passing through on the way to Uaxactun, and not exploring the Tikal ruins, your Uaxactun permit can be purchased and used alone. You only need to buy a permit for the day you're entering, even if you'll be staying multiple days. It will be validated and traded in for a bracelet at the garita de control at the entrance to the Tikal ruins.

Just as for Tikal, it's recommended that you buy your tickets online before leaving Flores - the official website is located at boletos.culturaguate.com. There is also a ticket office on the way to the ruins, but it may not accept credit/debit cards, and it is located 12 km before reaching the main part of the park. They also reportedly can have problems with their ticketing system due to electrical or cell service outages. If you'll be waiting for arrival at the ticket office to purchase your Uaxactun permit, bring your passport, as this may be required for your purchase. As of June 2024, passports are not being checked for permits bought online.

Permits are not sold on-site at the checkpoint or main area of Tikal. Furthermore, as of June 2024, there is no cell signal in Tikal, except sometimes at certain spots inside the ruins, so the only way to buy a Uaxactun permit there is by finding wifi at one of the restaurants there (see Tikal article for details) - unless you feel like driving, catching a bus, or hitchhiking the 12 km back to the ticket booth.

Get around
Though local teens might argue that the best way to get around here is by motorbike, and tours may cut off some of the distances by car, the main way to explore the village the ruins is on foot. None of the well-known attractions are more than about a half-hour straight-through walk from the village center. Unfortunately the trails are not as well-signed as in Tikal and the official map isn't to scale - some of the lesser-known parts of the ruins can be difficult to find. But as long as you stay on the big trails and grassy areas, you won't get seriously lost, and you can still see all the main attractions.

See
The main attraction in Uaxactun is the ancient Maya ruins, and once you've arrived in town, entry to the ruins is completely free.

There are more groups of ruins spread around the area, but they're harder to find and probably smaller and/or less-excavated. The local community also offers a small archeological museum, and interpretive signage in Spanish and English about its modern history. The village itself is of interest as an example of how normal people live in a remote area of the jungle. There are many birds and some spider monkeys around the area, and howler monkeys can often be heard too.

Do
Take photos, hike in the jungle. You can hire a local tourism guide (inquire at the OMYC office) to show you around or guide you on hikes or other activities. There are probably also good birdwatching tours, which you might have to book in Flores, or possibly at a hotel in Tikal. There is also a small ceramics museum at Campamento El Chiclero.

Unlike Tikal, as of June 2024 there is no protective attitude towards tourists here nor fear of damage from over-tourism. You're encouraged to climb almost all the ruins, and you won't encounter much problem hiking just about anywhere anywhere you want - but that means you must also be careful not to get lost when going farther afield or on smaller trails. This is especially true since there is zero cell phone reception anywhere in Uaxactun. Though there seems to be little enforcement, you're politely asked not to remain in the ruins after 6pm or enter before 6am.

Buy
As of June 2024, Uaxactun appears to be a cash only town, and there are no ATMs. Since there are no ATMs in Tikal either, make sure to bring enough cash with you from Flores! For a two-night stay in Uaxactun, as you'll probably need to do if not arriving with your own vehicle or on a tour, will probably require at least about Q500, unless you're free-camping somewhere with your own equipment and/or have brought all your own food.

Eat
As of June 2024, the restaurant at El Chiclero is not open, but a few doors down on the main corner is Restaurante Uaxactun, which offers set menu dinners for Q50, and has coffee available all day. It seems to be open until at 8 or 9pm, but you may need to order an hour in advance. The only other comedor (local eatery) seems to be at the entrance to the village, a bit of a long walk from the main area, and doesn't look as inviting. Several local shops along the airstrip and maybe other major streets sell basic snacks like chips and cookies.

Drink
Drinking water and other beverages are available at all of the small shops, but mostly in small bottles. As of June 2024, the shop halfway down the airstrip on the east side, next door to the blue church, had 2-liter bottles of water.

For alcohol, good luck getting anything but Gallo beer, though the local town drunk who hangs out across the street from the restaurant must have a supply of something.

Lodging
Locals say there are "two or three" places to stay in town. Besides the two listed here, there are a few others marked on OpenStreetMaps that may or may not still exist. You can also ask around locally.

Camping
You can probably still camp at El Chiclero in your hammock or tent, for a small fee. Not clear whether anyone rents camping equipment. It may also be possible to camp for free somewhere around the town - ask locally. People in camper vans have reported spending the night at the Grupos A & B parking lot of the ruins.

Stay safe
In theory you could encounter jaguars or pumas here, just like Tikal - attacks are very rare. Standard advice is to make yourself look as big and scary as possible, and never turn and run. There are also venomous snakes and stinging insects in the jungle, but the vast majority of visitors will never encounter any. The local "Puesto de Salud" public clinic might have antivenom.

The bigger danger here, as in Tikal, is the heat. Dehydration and even heatstroke are real threats. Make sure to carry lots of water or sports drinks, and rest when you need to. The insides of the ancient temples can be good places to cool off.

Go next
If you're a long-distance hiker or have a serious 4WD vehicle, there are tracks from here to other remote locations in the jungle, but you'll need better resources than Wikivoyage to plan such an expedition. For everyone else, literally the only place to go is back towards Tikal - don't miss the bus/van out at 06:45/07:00!

title: Uaxactun


text:
Ubajara

Ubajara is a city in Ceará, most famed for the nearby national park.

Get in
The main bus lines all pass through Tianguá.

See
The caves are accessible by cable car (Tu-Su 09:00-14:30, R$ 8 round trip) or by a 3-4 hour walk. Because of the ridiculous operating hours for the cable car (assuming that you want to return by it), the walk must be started before 10:00.

As of December 5, 2017, the cable car is not running. It is said to be undergoing major maintenance, which will probably last until July 2018. The prices have gone up, it is R$ 35 to go to the Mirante Gameleira, and R$ 60 to go to the waterfall Cafundó.

Go next

 * Ubajara National Park

title: Ubajara


text:
Ubatuba

Ubatuba is a municipality on the northern coast of São Paulo state, on the border with the Rio de Janeiro state. Ubatuba is a true paradise, being predominantly covered by exuberant Atlantic rainforest and containing more than 80 non-contiguous beaches distributed along 100 km of coast. You may find some of them completely deserted, especially on low season.

Understand
In 2020, it was home to 92,000 people.

High vs. low season
Ubatuba is devoted to tourism, but the fact that it is relatively far from both São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro (despite being almost exactly between them) makes it far more a "vacation or holiday" destination than a "weekend destination".

For that reason, during summer vacation (Jan-Feb) and holidays, the city and the more central beaches will be packed, and congestion in the Rio-Santos road may frequently occur. However, during the rest of the year, especially during weekdays, the city will be almost empty, and some beaches far from the city center may even be completely deserted.

The low season is thus great if you want tranquility, but in the other hand, the city center will be far less vivid, and it may be very difficult to find something to eat or drink outside it. Many shops, kiosks and restaurants close during low season.

Climate
Ubatuba is humorously referred by Paulistas as "Ubachuva" (chuva means rain in Portuguese) due to the good chance of raining when they get there. In reality, this reputation is likely due to the city being most visited between December and March (the summer), which coincides with the rainy season. Winter months (between June and August) have little rain, but the average temperature goes below 20°C. However, there is usually plenty of sunshine hours year-round.

By bus

From specific destinations:
 * Buses stop en-route between Rio de Janeiro and Santos. Buses from Rio go at 08:30 and 23:00 (R$100). Direct buses from Paraty are also available, R$15.

 * From São Paulo, you can take an intercity bus at Terminal Tietê. Many buses go via São Sebastião (for Ilhabela), R$70-80.

 * From the International Airport (GRU) at São Paulo City there is a bus line from Expresso Rodoviário Litoranea. They come to Caraguatatuba, which is a neighboring city, about 43 km from Ubatuba. There are only four departures from the airport to Caraguá: 07:00, 11:00, 16:30, and 20:00. From the airport to Caraguá it takes about 3 hours by bus. The bus ticket is about R$35 per person.

By car
By car, from São Paulo or São José dos Campos, you may take either Tamoios (SP-099) and after Rio-Santos (BR-101) or Osvaldo Cruz (SP-099). Journey from São Paulo to the city center of Ubatuba should take about 3 hours in good traffic conditions.

By plane

For reaching Ubatuba with a scheduled flight the airports of São Paulo are the most convenient. Further flight connections you can find to Rio. For heading towards Ubatuba you can take an intercity bus or shared ride with Blablacar.

By car
Ubatuba has about 100 km of coast, so if you plan to check out the beaches far from the city center, a car is highly recommended. You can rent a car in the city if you are not up to driving 3 hours from São Paulo (which can become much more in holidays). If you are going to Ubatuba in low season, and you are not staying in the city center, a car is also a good idea, since you may find out that where you are staying there is no place to go out to eat, sometimes not even a supermarket.

By bus
Public transport is administrated by Verdebus. There are some buses that go to more remote beaches, but they are not very frequent and they may stop not at the beach itself but rather at a nearby village. Be sure to check these things in advance.

By bicycle
Amogn locals, bicycles are a very popular means of transport. However, the beaches of Ubatuba are not contiguous, requiring a cyclist to ride in the sides of the Rio-Santos road to move between them, which is not particularly safe, despite being done by locals. Also, Ubatuba is quite hilly!

Cycling in the city center of Ubatuba, however, is much easier. The area is flat and there is a fair amount of cycleways.

Beaches
Ubatuba is simply one of the best places in Brazil to practice surf, nautical sports, diving and birdwatching. With 80 beaches, there are beach options for all kinds of audiences – from the high waves of Itamambuca to the calms waters of Lázaro. Uninhabited beaches such as Brava, Almada and Cedro draw one’s attention, and the access to them is made through tracks. For those looking for movement, the best option is “Grande” Beach or the schooner rides to Anchieta Island.

Do

 * Trekking or hiking at Ubatuba's dozens of forest trails. Reach various deserted beaches, waterfalls and even some indigenous tribes
 * Scuba diving at the islands (Anchieta, Vitória and Prumirim)
 * Surfing at Itamambuca, Félix, Vermelha do Norte and other great surfing points
 * Climb Corcovado - Not the famous statue-crested peak of Rio de Janeiro, Ubatuba's Corcovado Peak can be reached by a trail from Praia Dura, offering a pretty, albeit Jesus-free, view of the area. The trail is poorly-signposted and hard to follow, however, so it is best to arrange for a guide through the tourist information center (see the Understand section above).

Buy
There are many tourist-oriented shops on Rua Guarani and in the north part of R. Leovegildo Dias de Oliveira, in front of the Itaguá beach. The area becomes quite crowded during evenings on high season and holidays, and contains shops, restaurants, bars and kiosks in the beach front.

The "actual" commercial center of the city is Av. Thomás Galhardo, where you can find more general products and services. The area is being revitalized, to make it a popular spot among local and tourists.

Eat
Specialties in Ubatuba include locally-harvested mussels and peixe azul marinho, blue marine fish served and pirão de banana verda, a dish made with manioc flour and green bananas.

Sleep

 * Ubatuba

Stay safe
Ubatuba is generally a safe place. There is no place to be really avoided during the day, at least not a place that a visitor has reason to go. Walking during the night is generally fine, but consider driving or taking a cab if the place where you want to go is more than a few blocks away. During high season and holidays, R. Guarani and R. Leogevildo Dias de Oliveiro are pretty safe during the evening, since there will be many people there.

Stay healthy
As you may expect from a rainforest area, mosquitos will be a serious nuisance in most places. Using a good repellent in all but the most urban beaches is advised.

As elsewhere in Brazil, some beaches in Ubatuba are not suitable for bathing, and conditions can change from day to day. On the day of your visit, check the map of the latest weekly beach quality bulletin (in Portuguese, boletim de qualidade das praias) of the state's Environment Department (CETESB).

Go next
You find hostels and private rooms ...:

in the (south-)west:

 * Caraguatatuba – 50 km. It is the largest city of São Paulo's north shore. Caraguatatuba is located near the Serra do Mar and is home to the Parque Estadual da Serra do Mar.
 * São Sebastião – 80 km. The beaches of São Sebastião are a mixture of rustic paradisiac nature with first class night life. Contains one of the most famous beaches of the São Paulo coast, Maresias.
 * Ilhabela – 85 km. It is an archipelago with various savage beaches and ecotourism options.
 * Camburi and Boicucanga – 150 km. It is considered by Paulistas as one of the best beaches on their coastline. There are also quite a few small restaurants and bars along the road going through Camburi. Camburizinho beach is right next door.

in the north-east:

 * Paraty – 70 km. A fully-conserved 18th-century colonial town by the ocean, hidden by tall jungle-covered mountains which used to be a hideout for pirates after the Portuguese ships; a must-see for people interested in history and culture; also good for rainforest hiking and kayaking.

Further destinations are:

 * Anchieta Island State Park – An island in the south

title: Ubatuba


text:
Ube

Ube (宇部市 Ube-shi) is a city in Yamaguchi prefecture, Japan. There is a prefectural airport (Yamaguchi Ube Airport) in the city.

Understand
If you come to Yamaguchi prefecture by air, your first destination will be Ube. This city is full of sculptures and parks.

Tourist information site
The local tourist association has a Japanese-only guide site with integrated machine translation.

By train
Ube is served by three different JR Lines, the Sanyo Main Line, the Ube Line, and the Onoda Line. By Shinkansen, from anywhere east (Hiroshima to Tokyo) get of at Shin-Yamaguchi Station. From there, you can transfer to either the Sanyo Line or the Ube Line. From Kyushu, depending on the time and your destination within Ube, Shin-Shimonoseki, Asa, and Shin-Yamaguchi are all viable options. The Onoda Line can be accessed from the Ube Line by transferring at Ubeshinkawa Station (typically the best option) or at Onoda Station on the Sanyo Main Line.

Most of the tourist sites are located along the Ube Line near Tokiwa Station and UbeShinkawa Station.

Go next

 * Yamaguchi
 * Sanyo-Onoda
 * Shimonoseki
 * Mine
 * Kitakyushu
 * Mizumaki
 * Onga
 * Hofu
 * Shunan

title: Ube


text:
Uberaba

Uberaba is a city in the Triângulo Mineiro of Northern Minas Gerais.

title: Uberaba


text:
Ubon Ratchathani

Ubon Ratchathani (อุบลราชธานี) is a city in Isaan, Thailand, in a province of the same name. Often referred to as simply Ubon (อุบล), not to be confused with "Udon" to the north. Ubon lies 582 km from Bangkok and has Thailand's 13th largest city population.

Understand
Ubon was founded on the northern bank of the Mun River by a group of Lao princes fleeing Vientiane in the late 1700s. They applied for King Taksin's protection, duly granted in 1779 along with the city's new name, meaning "Royal City of the Lotus". Modern-day Ubon was a U.S. air base during the Vietnam War and grew rapidly at the time, but little has happened since then. The town of Warin Chamrap, on the south bank of the river, is effectively a suburb of Ubon these days.

The sleepy Ubon office of the Tourist Authority of Thailand (264/1 Khuan Thani Rd) is worth a visit to pick up useful English maps of the town and nearby provinces. Basic English spoken. Open daily 08:30-16:30.

By plane

The airport is at the northern edge of the city almost within walking distance, but accommodation is scattered around Ubon, so better not to consider walking. Much better to go to one of the two limousine (taxi) counters in the airport arrivals hall and purchase for 100 baht a taxi coupon that will take you to almost any point in the city. Limousine (taxi) rates in Ubon are extremely cheap by Western standards and lower than those in Bangkok. Set prices have been established to most destinations in and around Ubon. A taxi from Ubon to Chong Mek costs 1,000 baht for the 90-km, one way trip and a taxi from Ubon to Mukdahan costs 2,000-2,500 baht (depending on the vehicle type) to travel a one-way distance of 192 km. The driver does not charge for the return trip as in some Western countries. There are no taxi meters and the fare must normally be purchased from one of the two taxi counters at the airport arrivals desk.

If you prefer not to take a fixed price taxi, you can always walk the 200 m beyond the general airport parking area to haggle with the waiting tuk-tuk drivers, but chances are that your trip will end up costing you more.

By bus
Buses to Bangkok take 10 hours (due to stops) and most arrive near Mo Chit BTS station, with prices from about 450 baht and up. There are several different companies, offering morning and night buses, that all have ticket windows at the main Ubon bus terminal north of town. Some have routes and timetables posted on the windows in English, some don't (there might be English-speaking station staff there who can help you). The Nakhonchai Air private bus company has frequent, well-maintained buses that travel the route and also leave from the Ubon bus terminal, but arrive at their own private terminal in Bangkok, near the main Mo Chit terminal (about 500-900 baht depending on class).

Red songthaews leave directly from the Ubon bus terminal and go downtown for 10 baht. The truck stops at the yellow and white curb between the taxi stands and the exit to the parking lot, with the last departure at 19:00. Ubon is less than 100 km from the Lao border at Chong Mek/Pakse. A regular 'international' bus service now operates twice daily direct from Ubon bus station (near the "Big C" shopping complex) to Pakse in Laos, and caters for travelers who wish to obtain a Lao visa on arrival (it waits for all passengers to complete immigration and visa formalities before continuing to Pakse). The fare is 200 baht if purchasing tickets to Pakse at Ubon bus terminal. Agents selling tickets in Pakse charge 90,000 kip for the other direction (about 50% more), though this includes pickup from downtown Pakse. The price may be cheaper if you purchase directly at the bus station on Pakse's eastern outskirts.

By train
Daily trains connect with Bangkok and stop at all the southern Isaan provincial capitals (Si Saket, Surin, Buriram, and Nakhon Ratchasima (Korat)). The station is to the south of the city on the opposite side of the Mun River in Warin Chamrap. Buses 2 and 6 connect to the center.

Rail services are operated by State Railway of Thailand (SRT). Express and Special Express trains have first and second class sleeping and dining cars. First class sleeping cars are new, fully air-conditioned and consist exclusively of 2-berth-compartments. On Rapid trains, two classes ('2' and '3') are provided. '2' class is comfortable and modern, '3' class is extremely economical, but still acceptable. Check the State Railway of Thailand website (or Google Maps directions) for the current schedule. A third-class ticket to Bangkok costs 205 baht, and a second class seat is between 300 and 400 baht, and the journey takes 10-12 hours.

Get around

A bus/songthaew network with 13 fixed routes operates around the city. Most routes are numbered and colour-coded. Look for trucks with big numbers on the front. Many of the songthaews are also painted in the same color as their route is colored on the map. You can pick up a map at the Ubon TAT office. Rides cost 10 baht (December 2019).

Songthaew routes
There are plenty of tuk-tuks puttering and samlors pedaling around. As always, agree on a fare before you get in, and expect to pay 20-40 baht depending on distance and your haggling skills.

If you're feeling adventurous, try renting a motorbike or a car to get you to one of the many national parks in the province. Jay-Jay Car and Motorcycle Hire provide good, clean vehicles at competitive prices.

See

 * City Pillar Shrine (ศาลหลักเมือง) - At the southern corner of the field, the sacred pillar was built in 1972.
 * National Museum of Ubon Ratchathani (พิพิธภัณฑสถานแห่งชาติ อุบลราชธานี) - The single-storey hip roofed building, built in 1918, once served as the city hall before it was handed to the Fine Arts Department. The museum has exhibitions on local geography, history of the city’s establishment, archaeological fine art objects, local handicrafts, and folk games.
 * The Golden Jubilee Art and Cultural Centre (ศูนย์ศิลปวัฒนธรรมกาญจนาภิเษก) - The seven-storey building in contemporary Isan architecture was built to commemorate the Golden Jubilee Celebrations of the king's accession to the throne. Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn presided over the opening ceremony on 11 December 2001.
 * Monument of Phra Pathum Worarat Suriyawong or Chao Kham Phong (อนุสาวรีย์พระปทุมวรราชสุริยวงศ์ หรือ เจ้าคำผง) Phra Pathum Worarat Suriyawong was the founder of Ubon Ratchathani during 1778-1795.
 * Sculpture of Somdet Phra Maha Wirawong or Tisso Uan (ปฏิมากรรมสมเด็จพระมหาวีรวงศ์ หรือ ติสโส อ้วน) A famous monk who was well versed in Sutra and Vipassana.
 * Sculpture of Harmony and Progress (ปฏิมากรรมร่วมใจก้าวไปข้างหน้า) - The sculpture represents the harmony of four countries: Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam.
 * Kaeng Saphue (แก่งสะพือ) - The rapids in the Mun River. "Saphue" derives from the word "Samphuet" in the Suai ethnic language meaning "large serpent".
 * Chong Mek (ช่องเม็ก) - The permanent Thai-Lao border pass is from downtown Ubon Ratchathani. The pass is a land bridge to Champasak Province.
 * Maenam Song Si (แม่น้ำสองสี) - At the mouth of the Mun River, Ban Woen Buek. The Mun River runs into the Mekong, so we can see two rivers, in two different colours. "Song si" means 'two colours', blending together. The Mekong River is reddish brown, while the Mun River is bluish.
 * Pha Taem and Pha Kham (ผาแต้มและผาขาม) - The towering cliffs house groups of prehistorical paintings which date back 3,000-4,000 years. There are over 300 paintings in five categories including animals, geometrical motifs, rice farmers, hands, and "tum", or fish trap.
 * Namtok Thung Na Mueang (น้ำตกทุ่งนาเมือง) - The medium-sized waterfall cascades down a 25-metre cliff through flowerbeds which are in full bloom from October to December.
 * Phu Lon (ภูหล่น) - The mountain is in Tambon Song Yang, north of Amphoe Si Mueang Mai. It has a cave where monk Phra Achan Man Phurithatto practiced his Vipassana.
 * Namtok Kaeng Lamduan (น้ำตกแก่งลำดวน) - These falls are in the compound of the Ubon Ratchathani Wildlife Reservation Promotion and Development Station. The waterfall runs over a rock terrace and through the shady forest of Lamduan trees.
 * Hat Wat Tai (หาดวัดใต้) - A beach in the middle of the Mun River. During the dry season, its white sandy beach is a tourist destination.
 * Maenam Song Si (แม่น้ำสองสี) - At the mouth of the Mun River, Ban Woen Buek. The Mun River runs into the Mekong, so we can see two rivers, in two different colours. "Song si" means 'two colours', blending together. The Mekong River is reddish brown, while the Mun River is bluish.
 * Pha Taem and Pha Kham (ผาแต้มและผาขาม) - The towering cliffs house groups of prehistorical paintings which date back 3,000-4,000 years. There are over 300 paintings in five categories including animals, geometrical motifs, rice farmers, hands, and "tum", or fish trap.
 * Namtok Thung Na Mueang (น้ำตกทุ่งนาเมือง) - The medium-sized waterfall cascades down a 25-metre cliff through flowerbeds which are in full bloom from October to December.
 * Phu Lon (ภูหล่น) - The mountain is in Tambon Song Yang, north of Amphoe Si Mueang Mai. It has a cave where monk Phra Achan Man Phurithatto practiced his Vipassana.
 * Namtok Kaeng Lamduan (น้ำตกแก่งลำดวน) - These falls are in the compound of the Ubon Ratchathani Wildlife Reservation Promotion and Development Station. The waterfall runs over a rock terrace and through the shady forest of Lamduan trees.
 * Hat Wat Tai (หาดวัดใต้) - A beach in the middle of the Mun River. During the dry season, its white sandy beach is a tourist destination.
 * Phu Lon (ภูหล่น) - The mountain is in Tambon Song Yang, north of Amphoe Si Mueang Mai. It has a cave where monk Phra Achan Man Phurithatto practiced his Vipassana.
 * Namtok Kaeng Lamduan (น้ำตกแก่งลำดวน) - These falls are in the compound of the Ubon Ratchathani Wildlife Reservation Promotion and Development Station. The waterfall runs over a rock terrace and through the shady forest of Lamduan trees.
 * Hat Wat Tai (หาดวัดใต้) - A beach in the middle of the Mun River. During the dry season, its white sandy beach is a tourist destination.
 * Namtok Kaeng Lamduan (น้ำตกแก่งลำดวน) - These falls are in the compound of the Ubon Ratchathani Wildlife Reservation Promotion and Development Station. The waterfall runs over a rock terrace and through the shady forest of Lamduan trees.
 * Hat Wat Tai (หาดวัดใต้) - A beach in the middle of the Mun River. During the dry season, its white sandy beach is a tourist destination.
 * Hat Wat Tai (หาดวัดใต้) - A beach in the middle of the Mun River. During the dry season, its white sandy beach is a tourist destination.

National parks

Temples

 * Wat Phu Anon (วัดภูอานนท์) - The temple has interesting attractions including a rock terrace with large footprints, nature-made stone jar, and cave painting.
 * Wat Sa Prasan Suk or Wat Ban Na Mueang (วัดสระประสานสุข หรือ วัดบ้านนาเมือง) - The temple houses a special ubosot in the shape of the Suphannahong Royal Barge decorated with mosaics. The abbot is Achan Bunmi.
 * Wat Phu Anon (วัดภูอานนท์) - The temple has interesting attractions including a rock terrace with large footprints, nature-made stone jar, and cave painting.
 * Wat Sa Prasan Suk or Wat Ban Na Mueang (วัดสระประสานสุข หรือ วัดบ้านนาเมือง) - The temple houses a special ubosot in the shape of the Suphannahong Royal Barge decorated with mosaics. The abbot is Achan Bunmi.
 * Wat Phu Anon (วัดภูอานนท์) - The temple has interesting attractions including a rock terrace with large footprints, nature-made stone jar, and cave painting.
 * Wat Sa Prasan Suk or Wat Ban Na Mueang (วัดสระประสานสุข หรือ วัดบ้านนาเมือง) - The temple houses a special ubosot in the shape of the Suphannahong Royal Barge decorated with mosaics. The abbot is Achan Bunmi.
 * Wat Phu Anon (วัดภูอานนท์) - The temple has interesting attractions including a rock terrace with large footprints, nature-made stone jar, and cave painting.
 * Wat Sa Prasan Suk or Wat Ban Na Mueang (วัดสระประสานสุข หรือ วัดบ้านนาเมือง) - The temple houses a special ubosot in the shape of the Suphannahong Royal Barge decorated with mosaics. The abbot is Achan Bunmi.
 * Wat Sa Prasan Suk or Wat Ban Na Mueang (วัดสระประสานสุข หรือ วัดบ้านนาเมือง) - The temple houses a special ubosot in the shape of the Suphannahong Royal Barge decorated with mosaics. The abbot is Achan Bunmi.

Go next

 * Sam Phan Bok, the "Grand Canyon of Thailand"
 * Preah Vihear (Prasat Khao Phra Wihaan in Thai) - Khmer temple once accessible as a day trip from neighboring Si Saket Province (which is closed from the Thailand side; it's possible to cross into Cambodia and go from there, but this will take considerably longer)
 * Cambodia
 * Laos - the nearest city is Pakse - while there are a couple of different ways to go, the most straightforward is a tour bus leaving the Ubon terminal at 09:30 and 15:00 everyday for 200 baht

title: Ubon Ratchathani