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Bintulu

Bintulu is a part coastal, part riverine town, and the capital of Bintulu District (7,220 km2) in the Bintulu Division of Sarawak, Malaysia. It is a home to about 214,000 inhabitants (2020) in the area. Bintulu is known as a place of 'making a living'. Although it is not a main tourist destination in Sarawak, the local authorities such as Sarawak Tourism Board and Bintulu Development Authority are now putting in the effort to make Bintulu a tourist heaven.

Understand
Bintulu is a major industrial centre, and soon to be a capital of energy-intensive industries in Malaysia. Its port area to the east of the main town hosts the Petronas Liquified Natural Gas (LNG) Complex, which is the world's largest liquefied natural gas production facility on a single site, and also the very first Shell Middle Distillate Synthesis plant.

The town is half-way between Kuching and Kota Kinabalu. Bintulu is a central gateway to tourist spots like Bakun Resort, Niah Caves (Gua Niah in Malay), Mulu National Park, Longan Bunut National Park, Lambir National Park, Sibuti Wildlife Sanctuary, Rejang Pelagus, Belaga and the Bario Highlands.

History
Bintulu was once under the rule of the Brunei Sultanate. However, in 1841, Sarawak (now Kuching) was ceded to Sir James Brooke, an English adventurer who then became the First Rajah of Sarawak. In 1861, Bintulu, which was still part of Brunei, was also ceded to the Rajah and became part of Sarawak.

On September 8, 1867, it became the first meeting place of the State Legislative Assembly, the Council Negeri. Following other Sarawak divisional counterparts, Bintulu has also being under the rule of Rajah Brooke family, Japan, British and now Malaysia.

Bintulu began as a fishing village, with few old Chinese shophouses which have since been demolished. Following the discovery of large reserves of natural gas offshore Bintulu in 1969, a feasibility study in 1975 found a suitable site for Sarawak's first deep-water port in nearby Tanjung Kidurong. Realising the industrial potential in Bintulu, the Bintulu Development Authority (BDA) was established in 1978 by the State Government to undertake infrastructure development as well as to coordinate and promote industrial investment in the area.

Bintulu has now thrived tremendously from a small fishing village with the population of mere 70,000 in the early 1970s to more than 214,000 in 2010. Bintulu has superseded Kapit and Sarikei for becoming the fourth largest urban town in Sarawak. The development in Bintulu can be seen anywhere, while changes in its town landscape can be observed significantly in 2–3 years.

Orientation
Bintulu, a capital town of Bintulu division and district, can be divided into few areas:

 * Tanjung Kidurong (10-20 km from Bintulu town). Tanjung Kidurong is an industrial zone which consists of Petronas facilities of MLNG, Shell facilities of SMDS, BCOT (Bintulu Crude Oil Terminal), Bintulu Port, ABF (Asean Bintulu Fertilizer), Sarawak Fertilizer and various shipping and hardware factories. There are also housing estates, institutional quarters, settlers (at Sg. Plan), schools (including Technical School), stadiums (both open and closed stadium) and golf course.
 * Kemena (10 km from Bintulu town). Kemena is also an industrial zone. However it is more focused on timber industries such as logging shipment docks, plywood factories and variety of wood products factories. It also housed Bintulu Port Sdn. Bhd. quarters.
 * Bintulu town centre. It is where the main trading activities were carried out. It is home to traditional shoppers of wild produce, seafood, fruits and various basic needs which can be obtained mostly at Pasar Tamu or Pasar Utama Bintulu. The Bintulu town centre has also expanded until Tanjung Batu, including Parkcity Commercial Centre (the latest and busiest commercial centre in Bintulu, and also where Parkcity Mall, New World Suites and Parkcity-Everly Hotel were situated).
 * Jepak. A fishermen village which now has become an extension to Bintulu town centre in the opposite area of Kemena river. It comprises Kg. Jepak and other government offices such as Marine Police.
 * Medan Jaya & Medan Sentral. A bustling township comes in pair, each located opposite each other at the side of busy junction of Jalan Sultan Iskandar-Jalan Tun Hussein Onn-Jalan Kidurong. It is a premier shopping centre in Bintulu where three supermarket giants; Farley Supermarket, Sing Kwong Supermarket and MDS Supermarket are located.

Get in
It is approximately 624 km away from Kuching and about 215 km from either Sibu or 205 km from Miri.

By plane
Getting there: Bintulu town is about 20 minutes away by taxi, a fixed RM35 from the taxi coupon stand just outside arrivals. There are no buses serving the airport. You can be a little bit adventurous by walking for about 1.5 km out of the airport to the airport crossing and catch Jepak bus to Bintulu town. This is an extremely rare thing to do, so just spare some cash for a taxi to Bintulu town instead.

By boat
Express boats can only link to Bintulu town from other smaller Bintulu suburban and rural areas such as Sebauh, Tubau and Labang. No express boats serving Bintulu town to other major cities and towns in Sarawak.

By bus
Bintulu is at Medan Jaya, not far from Farley Supermarket. All Sarawak major towns and cities like Kuching, Sibu, Miri, Mukah, Betong, Sri Aman, Sarikei, Batu Niah and Sungai Tujuh are well connected with Bintulu. Wide array of choices pamper travellers such as MTC Transport, Biaramas, Eva Transport etc. One can also expect towns which can only be served by Bintulu bus terminal such as Sg. Asap (a small town in Belaga area) and Bakun (a hydro-electric project). An international link bus such as to Brunei (via Sg. Tujuh) and Pontianak, Indonesia can be bought at the terminal. Estimated travelling time from Kuching to Bintulu is 9 hours, which sometimes transit to other main towns. To Miri, the bus journey takes approximately 4 hours and costs RM50.

By car
There is an extensive network of sealed roads linking Bintulu to major cities and towns. One can expect the furthest is from Pontianak (around 1050 km) or even to as far as Tawau in Sabah (more than 1000 km). Bintulu is always a transit town from Kuching to Kota Kinabalu.

By bus
Local bus in Bintulu is served by City Public Link. The bus goes to other minor parts of the town to as far as Sungai Plan, Nyalau and Tatau/Kuala Tatau. Municipal bus can be found one stop at the Pasar Tamu Bus Terminal. The fare is RM1 under RM1 Flat Rate Bus Fare Programme.

Normally, only rural people and low-income group urban and suburban people use the bus. So if you are a first-time traveler to Bintulu, be prepared to speak in a simple Bahasa Melayu, Bahasa Iban or Bahasa Melayu-Sarawak language. English is not a commonly used language by bus travellers here.

By boat
Various express boats serve Bintulu which connect Bintulu to other minor towns and rural areas such as Sebauh, Tatau, Kuala Tatau, Tubau and Labang. The fare ranges from RM2 to RM80 (depend on the destination). Travelers can also rent a 'perahu' or speed boat to other minor towns for greater adventure. However, spare a lot of cash for this purpose because the rent can shoot up to RM500 per day (excluding engine oil).

On foot
Bintulu old town is quite a pedestrian-friendly with lots of traffic lights served for pedestrians. However, walk to other parts of town might be a tiring one, especially to Parkcity Commercial area and Medan Jaya. A bus will cost you less than RM2.

Masjid Assyakirin
It was named Masjid Assyakirin, which defines "Gratefulness". It is a centre of religious activities by Muslims in Bintulu. It has once organized state-level event of "Majlis Nuzul Quran" (an event to commemorate 'birth' of Quran). As a matter of fact, it is the largest mosque in Bintulu division, and also the only mosque in Malaysia which is maintained by BDA, a local municipal authority (not religious departments). (Pictured in the article banner.)

Kuan Ying Tong Temple
Situated on Jalan Iskandar and surrounded by three churches; St. Thomas Anglican church, Methodist Church and St. Anthony Catholic church, this is the only Chinese temple in the area. It is 2 km from Bintulu town centre. Amongst the peculiar features of this unique spiritual landmark are the rock garden courtyard, man-made waterfall and dragon fencing - all of quality craftmanship. It can be easily seen on your way to the heart of Bintulu town.

Taman Tumbina
Being the only zoo in the northern region of Sarawak, Taman Tumbina is a house to various animals such as crocodiles and pythons. Most of the visitors enter the park for jungle-trekking or hill climbing. The beautiful scenery of South China Sea awaits people who dare to climb to the top of the hill!

Do

 * Golfing: The annual event of Piala TYT makes Bintulu Golf Course a must for visitors who love to play golf. It has the splendid scenery of pine trees along the rocky beach of Tanjung Batu.
 * Fishing is one of the popular hobbies in Bintulu. People can opt for fishing at the rivermouth of Kemena river, or at the sea for seafood, or if you are looking for freshwater food, you can go fishing at Tubau river, Tatau river (upriver area) or Jelalong river. However, beware of crocodiles and shallow water, your boat might hit those big trunks or rocks at the riverbed and it might spoil your mood for fishing.
 * Fishing is one of the popular hobbies in Bintulu. People can opt for fishing at the rivermouth of Kemena river, or at the sea for seafood, or if you are looking for freshwater food, you can go fishing at Tubau river, Tatau river (upriver area) or Jelalong river. However, beware of crocodiles and shallow water, your boat might hit those big trunks or rocks at the riverbed and it might spoil your mood for fishing.

Festival and celebrations
Bintulu has hosted several festivals and celebrations throughout the year. Among the most popular celebrations in Bintulu are:

 * International Borneo Kite Festival. Held annually between July to August, the festival is a one-week event which showcased the public display of kites from around the world, ranging from traditional kites of Wau to more modern flying sculpture such as Pokémon.
 * Bintulu Regatta. Held annually and back-to-back with Sebauh, the event is held to encourage people from people around Bintulu to compete for the fastest boat rowing. It is similar to Dragon Boat Festival in China and the competition offers prizes for various categories such as speed boat, motor boat and traditional boat.
 * An Evening in Bintulu. Held annually to celebrate New Year right from 1 December to the end. It includes various activities such as singing competition, trade fair, new year celebration and Christmas carolling. The brainchild of this event is the Resident of Bintulu, Dr. Razali Abon, with help from various government agencies such as JKR Bintulu and also participants from private agencies, corporate bodies and individuals.

Buy

There are some items you must buy when you are Bintulu. Here are those most essential items that you must buy when you visit Bintulu:

 * Belachan (Shrimp Paste) in Bintulu is the most popular food ingredients in Sarawak. Most Sarawakians, especially Malay, cook their traditional cuisines using Bintulu Belachan. It is made from sun-dried shrimp, mixed with salt solution. It is a main ingredient for Midin Belachan, Mee Hoon Belachan, Laksa Sarawak and Nasi Goreng Belachan.
 * Cincaluk (Fermented Shrimp Paste): this salty shrimpy 'juice' is not to be consumed by a people who hate stinky food. It was made from fermented shrimp (dipped in vinegar and salt) with some other additives. Cincaluk in Bintulu is considered to be 'pure' and original due to the fact that there was no added colouring or preservatives in the making of this cincaluk.
 * Terendak (Melanauh Headgear): if you notice in Bintulu, there are a lot of recreational parks (or even the Pasar Tamu and Wisma Bintulu roof) are in the shape of terendak, or Melanau headgear. It is normally used to protect oneself under the sun. Head on to local handicrafts store in Bintulu to get your very own Terendak.
 * Tutop (food cover), or "tudung saji" in Malay, is also in a shape of Terendak. The difference is just its purpose and the size of it. You can get your own Tutop at local market or handicrafts/souvenir shop.
 * Sagu products: Sagu is an extract of a trunk of Sagu tree. Traditionally, it was made by hard-pressing the trunk to extract its juice and the juice will be sun-dried to make a sagu flour. The sagu flour then can be made into different type of local delicacies like Tebaloi, Biji Sagu, Linut and Sagu biscuits. Most of sagu products are 'dry', so don't be afraid to take one if you are in the long journey to go home.

Eat
Be it budget or splurge, Bintulu is somehow a fine place for casual dining.

Drink
Due to the sizeable expat population here thanks to its oil & gas industry, Bintulu is not lacking in night life. There are numerous bars, pubs, clubs & karaokes here for the working class to relax and enjoy themselves after a hectic day.

The oil & gas boom era also brought prostitution into the city. It is illegal, and is allegedly controlled by triad gangs.

Work
Bintulu is not a main tourist attraction. People say, you can spend money in Singapore, but you got to earn it in Bintulu! Bintulu is the place where the biggest integrated gas processing plant in the world and the first Shell Middle Distillate Synthesis (SMDS) in the world located, and also thriving industries taking place, from fertilizers (ASEAN fertilizers plant is situated here) to shipping, petrochemicals, palm oil processing & plantations as well as timber industries. World-renowned companies like Shell and Petronas made their home in Bintulu.

Bintulu is a core development area of Sarawak corridor (SCORE). It will house bigger and more energy-intensive industries like aluminium smelting plant. It is also linked to the biggest hydroelectric dam in Malaysia, Bakun. More and more investors are interested in taking part of SCORE.

Learn
Bintulu is a home to several academic institution. It has a branch campus Malaysian-renowned universiti, Universiti Putra Malaysia. It has also Sedamai College (private institution). GGIFA (Gulf Golden International Flying Academy), an academy for aspiring pilots, is based next to Bintulu Airport. Soon to be opened in Bintulu is ADTEC (Advanced Technology College), a college offering diploma by Ministry of Human Resource Malaysia, and also IKM (Institut Kemahiran Mara), a college specifically for disadvantaged Bumiputeras who wish to undergo hard skills.

Go next
Bintulu is a gateway for various places of ecotourism and cultural attraction.

Niah National Park
The Niah National Park is located some 120 km by road to the north of Bintulu. The faeces of bats at the caves are an important source of natural fertilizer. The west mouth of the Niah Caves is one of the most important archaeological sites in Southeast Asia. It is significant because of the wide range of stone tools used from the old Stone Age, discovery of skulls (of earliest human in Southeast Asia). Prehistoric wall paintings also exist in one of the caves. There are chalets, hostel accommodation and an inexpensive canteen available at the park. To get here, take any Bintulu-Miri bus and get off at the Niah junction, where the bus will make a rest stop. Informal taxis should be waiting nearby and will charge 30 RM for the 15 km run to the park. From the park entrance you will be guided with wooden signages to the Niah cave trail. The journey to the Niah Caves involves a 40-metre walk along a 3-kilometre plankwalk. Niah Caves are famous for its luxurious birds' nests.

Sungai Asap & Bakun
Bintulu is also a gateway to the hinterland of Kapit Division. As a matter of fact, although Bakun and Sungai Asap are both in Kapit Division (or Belaga District), they are the only place in Kapit where it was accessible from the main trunk road of Pan Borneo Highway. Sungai Asap is a settlement where tourists can opt for a homestay with local Orang Ulu longhouses and learn their culture and lifestyles. Once in 5 years, Sungai Asap will be the place where all villagers from the surrounding area to gather and celebrate Pesta Sungai Asap. Bakun, in other hand, is a bit far from Sungai Asap. It is the site of the largest hydroelectric dam in Malaysia. The electrical supply from this dam was planned to accommodate supply demands in Peninsular Malaysia, Sarawak and neighbouring countries, Indonesia and Brunei. To get to Bakun and Sungai Asap, you may need to drive from Bintulu with travelling time up to 2 hours.

Beware of logging trucks while using Bintulu-Bakun road to Sungai Asap and Bakun. There are lots of them using this road everyday.

Kuala Nyalau
Kuala Nyalau is a place where beach with many coral reefs leftovers scattered on its coastline. There is also beautiful waterfall not far from the beach. To get here, you need to drive using Bintulu-Miri coastal road. The travelling time is estimated around 1–2 hours. Once you arrive at the Nyalau junction (bear in mind, Nyalau, not Nyabau!), drive another 10 km to the sea using parly sealed, partly crusher run (stone) road. The road is a bit bullish at certain areas due to its hilly terrain.

The road leading to Kuala Nyalau is narrow, hilly, winding and partly bare soil road. Don't dare to drive during heavy rain. Even during sunny day, watch out for opposite vehicles especially lorries. The condition of the road might be sometimes too rough for any visitors to go in.

Tatau
Tatau is a small town, which is also a capital district of Tatau. It comprises different areas such as Kuala Tatau (using its own Bintulu-Kuala Tatau road, or using water transport from Tatau using Tatau river), Sangan (accessible by road), Ng Sangan, Nanga Tau and Kuala Muput. If you love fishing, you will love Tatau especially when you go cruising along the Tatau river for your freshwater catch or down to the rivermouth for seafood.

Sebauh
Sebauh is a small district under Bintulu division. However, it is a centre of trading for people from around Sebauh like Pandan and Ulu Sebauh, and around its area, up to the deepest upriver area of Kuala Kebulu, Tubau and Labang. Like Tatau, Sebauh is popular among fishing freak.

title: Bintulu


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Binz

Binz is a famous seaside resort on Rügen, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania in Germany. It features fine sandy beaches, noble resort architecture and varied lush natural surroundings.

By train

 * Train station: Binz LB – steam-powered narrow gauge railway, Rügensche BäderBahn - Rasender Roland
 * Train station: Binz LB – steam-powered narrow gauge railway, Rügensche BäderBahn - Rasender Roland

See

 * The enormous Prora complex
 * Granitz Hunting Lodge

Do

 * Beach - good quality sandy beach with a shallow run into the sea. In the summer split into family section (no dogs), dogs allowed section and nudist section.

Eat
Large choice of restaurants on Hauptstraße and alone the Strandpromanada.

Go next

 * Sassnitz
 * Sellin
 * Göhren
 * Putbus

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

title: Binz


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Biobío

Biobío and Ñuble regions are in Southern Chile.

Cities

 * — a popular destination for skiing and hot spring bathing in the nearby Andes Mountains
 * — at the coast, and has several beaches and places to make excursions (like Calvario Hill)
 * — popular for its wood carvings and loom weaving, and folklore festival (see below)
 * — the second largest city of Chile is a city rich in culture, history and beauty
 * — a small city known for its railway industry
 * — a commune home to the Avendaño Lagoon, for water-skiing, swimming, sailing, and rowing, and famous for its Carnival
 * — popular for its pottery and cherry festival (see below)
 * — a small typical Chilean town with a small market during the week and a large one during Saturdays. It is quite nice to see how life runs besides the typical touristy places. Try out the restaurant between the two large green supermarkets on opposite sides in the centre.
 * — a commune that has beautiful landscapes and is an excellent locality for excursions, camping and fishing.

Other destinations

 * — a sparsely populated island 40 km (25 miles) off the coast
 * — a cordillerano bath next to the Rengado River and which has beautiful places surrounded by mountains
 * — an agricultural area with some beautiful rural areas where native flora and fauna can be found, 24 km southeast of Chillán

Understand
Biobío Region is the second-most populated region in Chile, and home to the country's third largest city, Concepción. It is an earthquake zone, and has been hit by many earthquakes, including the most powerful earthquake ever recorded (in 1960) and the great earthquake of 2010.

Ñuble Region, to the north of Biobío Region, is the smallest region in Chile in terms of area.

By car
From Santiago head south by Route 5 (Pan-American Highway).

By plane

 * 'Carriel Sur International Airport in Concepción is the main airport in the region

By train
Terrasur between Santiago (Alameda) and Chillán, covers almost 400 km in less than 5 hours. It is one of the only inter-city services that still operates in the country.

See

Other places of interest are the Market and Fair of Chillán, one of the more beautiful and important artisan centers of Chile. Murals by Siqueiros were donated by the Government of Mexico. There is also Bernardo O'Higgins Monumental Park in the locality of Chillán Viejo.

Among the activities characteristic of Ñuble are crafts, in particular in the localities of Quinchamalí (considered like one of the country's more important places of artisan production of white clay pottery), Coihueco (characterized by the wood carvings and loom weaving), Ninhue and San Fabián de Alico.

Do

 * Surfing – Everything between Cobquecura and, like Curanipe, Cardonal, Tregualemu and Buchupureo are exceptional surfing destinations and mirror the shape and conditions of the Californian coast on the northern side of the continent. This region is still a hidden gem and receiving a lot of state sponsoring for development. However, beaches and breaks are far from overrun and you can find many lone opportunities to try out your board.
 * Spas of Chillán – A winter and, more importantly, summer tourist complex of the region, located among millenarian forests and inexhaustible thermal water sources.

Celebrations and events
Ñuble has a variety of these, liek the following outstanding ones:
 * Rodeo – A celebration huasa that takes place Sep–Feb.
 * Agro-Expo – In, an agricultural, cattle and artisan exhibition, with strong accent on dairying.
 * Carnival of Quillón – A traditional celebration with artistic spectacles and dances.
 * Celebration of the Vendimia – A celebration of autumn in.
 * Festival of Creole Roots – In Coihueco, it revives folkloric traditions.
 * Gathering of Folkloric Roots – In in the month of November brings together an important group of singers, artisan and cultural singers and expressions of rural sectors of Ñuble and the country.
 * Celebrations of the Cherry and Esquila – Accurs in December in Quinchamalí, with typical folkloric activities, meals, exhibitions and tasting of cherries, jams and liqueurs.
 * Cardal – In the commune of takes place in the sliqueurs.

title: Biobío


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Biograd na Moru

Biograd na Moru is a small, tourist city in Dalmatia, Croatia near Zadar.

Get in
Small bus station is located in a city center. There are several buses from Zadar (€2.50, Sept 2009).

Get around
One can go to Pasman Island by ferry (€1.50, Sept 2009).

Eat

 * Pizzeria Cocolino

Sleep
There are many private accommodations and some hotels.

Go next

 * Kornati National Park (archipelago) excursions. Prices around €27 (on some boats unlimited water and wine for free).
 * Krka National Park about 55 km away.
 * Šibenik city (about 50 km). 20 km away from Krka.
 * Zadar city (30 km).
 * Split city (136 km). Trogir is also worth visiting and is 28 km from Split.

title: Biograd na Moru


text:
Bioko

Bioko (formerly known as "Fernando Pó") is a large island in Equatorial Guinea, and location of the country's capital.

Cities

 * - the capital

Talk
Igbo is spoken as a minority language here.

By boat
Ferries sail from Douala and Bata to Malabo port.

See

 * Lago Biao.
 * Lago Loreto
 * Finca Sampaka - a traditional cocoa farm
 * Sipopo - artificial beach built around the Sofitel Hotel and the islet of Horacio
 * Cascadas Iladyi
 * Ureka
 * Ureka

 * Malabo National Park, covers an area of 870,000 meter squared, this park offers sports area. It was established in June 2016.

Do

 * Casa de Kristalysky-boy-gastaho, hiking.

 * Hacienda Natividad, hiking.

Eat

 * Cacahual MEGPL club House.

 * Restaurant Pizzeria Times.

 * Restaurante Imagine.

 * Restaurante Africano Candy.

 * Pizza Place Paraiso.

Drink

 * Pizzeria Italiana.

 * Complejo el Caribe.

 * Olympus Skybar.

 * Garden Lounge.

 * Cafe Maria.

 * Kristal Lounge Malabo.

 * Bar Baney.

title: Bioko


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Bir

Bir is a town in the eastern end of the Kangra Valley in Himachal Pradesh with a friendly, relaxed Indian population and a large Tibetan (Khampa) community. It is home to several educational institutions, monasteries, and nonprofit organizations (NGOs). It is becoming a popular off-the-beaten-path destination for meditation courses, volunteering, and ecotourism.

Understand

Bir is a small mountain town in northern Himachal Pradesh with a large, well-established Tibetan community. Set against the backdrop of the Dhauladhar Range of the Indian Himalayas, the town is picturesque, although the rubbish-strewn roadsides and waterways of the Tibetan Colony (down the hill from Bir proper) are an unfortunate contrast to its golden roofed temples, and to the greenery of Upper Bir (Bir Proper) and the surrounding villages. The Tibetan Colony is actually in the village of Chowgan. Bir proper, sometimes referred to as "Indian Bir" or "Upper Bir", is the small market and surrounding farming community located in the foothills above Chowgan.

The founding of Bir: Local accounts indicate that Bir was first settled by immigrants from Bengal around 1600 CE. These families settled in Bir proper. Other groups started migrating to the area in the early 20th century.

The Tibetan Colony: In 1966 the third Neten Chokling (1928-1973), an incarnate lama of the Nyingma lineage of Tibetan Buddhism, brought his family and a small entourage to Bir. With the help of foreign aid Neten Chokling purchased over 200 acres of land and established a Tibetan settlement where 300 Tibetan families were given land to build houses. At this time Chokling Rinpoche also started building in Bir a new Neten monastery and disciples who had followed him into India formed its first sangha. When the third Chokling Rinpoche passed away in 1973, his eldest son, Orgyen Tobgyal Rinpoche (b 1951), assumed responsibility for completing his father’s vision. The fourth Neten Chokling incarnation was born in 1973 in Bhutan and brought to Bir at a young age where the family of the third Chokling took him under their wings. In 2004 full responsibility for Pema Ewam Chögar Gyurme Ling Monastery in Bir was passed to the fourth Neten Chokling. The monastery, now a place of study and practice for over 120 monks, served as the setting for Khyentse Norbu’s 1999 feature film The Cup.

Other Tibetan Buddhist monasteries and monastic colleges in Bir include Palyul Chökhorling Monastery (Nyingma) under the guidance of Rigo Tulku Rinpoche; Bir Dirru Monastery/Bir Sakya Lama Society under the guidance of the 15th Gyalsay Tulku Rinpoche and the 14th Dungyud Rinpoche; Drikung Dozin Theckcho Ling Monastery (Drikung Kagyu) under guidance of Ontul Rinpoche, and Chökyi Lödro College of Dialectics under the directorship of Dzongsar Jamyang Khyentse Rinpoche.

By plane

 * Kangra Airport at Gaggal near Kangra is the nearest airport to Bir, roughly a two-hour journey. Air India, Alliance Air, and SpiceJet operate daily flights from Delhi.

By bus
Bir is about four hours from Dharamsala and McLeod Ganj.

 * From Dharamsala: There are direct buses to Bir Road/Upper Bir leaving at 6AM & 2PM from Lower Dharamsala. Or you can take a bus to Palampur, then to Baijnath. From Baijnath there are buses every half hour to Upper Bir – for Bir Colony ask them to drop you at Chowgan crossroads, then you have to walk about 1 km. Or get off at Bir Road junction and get a taxi (₹50-60).
 * From Delhi: From the Inter-state Bus Terminal (ISBT), take bus to either Baijnath or Bir Road – the latter is closer, but many buses only go as far as Baijnath. There are two overnight buses leaving Delhi. Both depart mid evening and arrive early morning. Lakshmi Holidays also operate a Volvo A/C semi-sleeper bus service from Delhi departing Majnu ka tila at 7:30PM and Karnal Bypass at 7:55PM, arriving in Bir at 7:30AM the next morning. Although the quality of the buses plying the route has improved immensely over the last few years, it is still a tiring journey and certainly not recommended for anyone who is prone to motion sickness.

By train

 * Toy Train: There is a morning train from Pathankot to Ahju, which is 3 km from Bir. Trains from Delhi arrive at Pathankot an hour before the toy train leaves. The ride is long, tiring and often crowded but the stunning scenery more than compensates for any inconveniences.
 * Express: Overnight train from Delhi. Alight at Pathankot (around 9 to 10 hours). Taxi to Bir costs around ₹3,000 for the four-hour journey. More expensive than the bus, but a definite option for those prone to motion sickness.

By taxi

 * This is the most convenient way of getting to Bir from Pathankot (4 hours, ₹3,000) or Dharamsala (2 hours, ₹1000-1300). As it can be difficult to pick up a taxi in Pathankot willing to bring passengers to Bir, it is best to request your hotel or hostel in Bir to send a taxi to meet you at the station. Otherwise, request that they give you a contact number for a driver in Bir. Ensure that you inform the driver whether your train is stopping at Pathankot Junction or Cantonment.
 * Taxis from Bir Road (the final destination of most long-distance buses) to the Tibetan Colony or Deer Park should not cost more than ₹60-70.
 * Taxis from Upper Bir or the Tibetan Colony to Ghornala (for the Dharmalaya Institute or Ghornala Resort) should cost ₹100 one-way or ₹150 return.

Get around
Taxis are usually available in the Upper Bir bus stand and in the main intersection of the Tibetan colony.

Buses ply the main north-south Bir Road fairly regularly, connecting the Bir Road turnoff from the NH20 (the highway) to Upper Bir. The closest bus stop for the Tibetan Colony is at Chowgan Chowk, on Bir Road about a 10-minute walk east of the colony.

The historical center of Bir is in Upper Bir (Bir proper, sometimes referred to by the Tibetan community as "Indian Bir").

The Bir Tibetan Colony (often simply called "Colony" by locals) is at the west end of the village of Chowgan, about a 20-minute walk (or five-minute taxi) below Upper Bir.

Sherab Ling Monastery is a 50- to 70-minute walk (or 15-minute taxi) from Chowgan, or slightly longer from Upper Bir.

The village of Ghornala, a small, quiet area home to the Dharmalaya Institute (on Dhanaari Hill), Ghornala Resort, a Sikh retreat centre, and a few cottages, is about midway between Bir and Sherab Ling, and slightly to the north. From Upper Bir, it's about a one-hour walk or 15-minute taxi to Ghornala (and slightly longer from Chowgan or the Tibetan Colony).

See

 * Chökyi Lödro College of Dialectics (formerly Dzongsar Institute). A centre for higher Buddhist philosophical study with about 600 monks in nearby Chauntra.
 * River pools in Upper Bir.
 * Tea gardens near the paragliding landing site.
 * River pools in Upper Bir.
 * Tea gardens near the paragliding landing site.

Do

 * Attend Buddhist-related activities at Deer Park.
 * Para glide - Bir is well known as a centre of para gliding, and the sport attracts young people from all over India.
 * Bungee Jumping is becoming second adventurous activity after Paragliding.

Learn

Buy

 * Chowgan/Bir Tibetan Colony: everyday shopping
 * Chauntra (east of Bir): basic kitchenware
 * Jogindernagar, Baijnath, and Palaumpur: a few pharmacies, hardware stores, shops with decorative items, drugstores, shops with basic domestic appliances. For more choice in clothing and appliances and for garden nurseries go to Palampur.
 * Upper Bir: post office, a chemist (pharmacy), and a few basic general stores

Eat
Meals in local cafés and restaurants range between ₹20 and ₹200 per person (2019).

Upper Bir

 * Bhawani Guest House, near the west end of Bir serves a wide variety of healthy and delicious food, but order in advance
 * Four Tables - Run by an Indo-German who cooks very well. Moved a bit above the town, and likely you'll need a taxi to find it, at least the first time.
 * Lhakpa Cafe in the main bazaar of Upper Bir serves tasty veg momos for lunch, but they usually run out around 1PM so get there early.
 * Panditji, just west of the main intersection in Upper Bir, makes good samosas and pakoras, and is very gentle and warm.

Tibetan Colony

 * Emaho Cafe has changed hands & no longer offers good food - simple "Chinese" food is all they now serve - an institution lost.
 * Another possibility is "Friends' Cafe", although their menu promises more variety than they actually can offer.
 * Also try Gang-Chen Cafe on the second floor above the bank.
 * Hotel Surya serves some of the best Indian meals in the Tibetan Colony and has wi-fi.
 * Norling (a.k.a. "Garden Café) serves the best traveler food (pasta, salads, etc.) in the colony.
 * There are three hole-in-the-wall joints near the Hotel Surya where you can find good momos, parathas, and simple Indian meals.

Elsewhere

 * Ghornala Resort has a very good cook who has traveled extensively (in Ghornala Village, north of the road that goes between Bir and Sherab Ling)
 * Sherab Ling Monastery has a simple restaurant with respectable food.
 * Joy Restaurant in the nearby town of Palampur serves wide variety of awesome food at reasonable rates.
 * The Northern Cafe is a place where you can find a great ambiance, a breath-taking sunset paired with a sip of your favourite brewery. It is located in Bir above the paragliding landing site with a royal view of gigantic Dhauladhars.
 * June 16 Café is a small and cosy café with warm vibes gets you perfectly roasted coffee, hot and rich in the tangs on the go.
 * Glider’s Pizzeria is located near the landing site in Bir so finding it won’t be problematic. This place can be a little hard on your wallet, they provide specialized continental dishes.
 * Vairagi Café is a place having a simple set of menus for breakfast and lunch. If you are travelling solo and north Indian cuisine is what you love then this place is definitely worth going.
 * Café Ilaka is located just next to the landing site the café has its own charm as it has beautiful colour schemes and paintings reflecting Bir’s culture.
 * Ara Café offers Continental, Italian, Chinese, Himachali, and North Indian cuisines on its menu. Pizza, pasta, tomato basil soup, biryani are some great offerings here.
 * Garden Café and Restaurant is one of the oldest and pacific places in Bir. As the name itself suggests the café is set up in a garden amidst greenery offering you both indoor and outdoor sitting where you can have your food with ‘’good vibes only’’.
 * Musafir – A Traveller’s Café is away from the crowd in Bir and get welcomed by the auspicious hosts of this café. Musafir is made out of bamboo which obviously is contributing to the environment, making it an eco-friendly cafe.
 * Himalayan Pizza (opposite Paramountains Bir Billing), serves varieties of tossed pizza, Italian Espresso coffee, yummy creamy smoothies, Ice Tea, waffles, fruit salad, burgers, wraps and bakery items and it's near the landing site of Bir Billing Paragliding.
 * Himalayan Pizza (opposite Paramountains Bir Billing), serves varieties of tossed pizza, Italian Espresso coffee, yummy creamy smoothies, Ice Tea, waffles, fruit salad, burgers, wraps and bakery items and it's near the landing site of Bir Billing Paragliding.

Sleep
There are quite a few guesthouses and hotels in Upper Bir. Rates range from ₹200 to ₹2000 per night (2019).

The Government of India has classified the Bir Tibetan Colony as a “protected area.” This means any foreigners wishing to stay overnight in the Bir Tibetan Colony must obtain a Protected Area Permit (PAP) before arriving. See (Bir Portal) and (Bir Portal)

Stay healthy
The water in Bir is uncommonly clean. it comes from a spring in the mountains above any village, it's usually drinkable except during the monsoon when the groundwater can pollute the system, but it's wise to boil or filter it year-round just in case. Check the date on the bottles of soft drinks in all places, including shops.

 * Acupuncture & traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) from Dr. Norbu, near the main intersection in the Tibetan colony. Also does cupping and moxabustion. Clinic open M-Sa 10AM-1PM (more or less). Tel: +91 98823.37181. Very good with sprains & back pain.
 * Bhawani Panchkarma Centre: Holistic Ayurvedic Treatment centre providing herbal treatment and various rejuvenating packages Rediscover your own unique identity with Ayurveda contact Dr Manan Soni Ayurvedacharya +91 9857460215 9459203257 email: bhawaniayurveda@gmail.com
 * Government doctor at crossroad to Chauntra.
 * Homeopathic clinic
 * Men-Tsee-Khang: traditional Tibetan herbal medicine.
 * Tibetan government clinic: Allopathic medicine, including low-cost vaccinations (e.g. Hepatitis B).
 * Veterinary clinic (extremely cheap)
 * Western medical clinic (low-price vaccinations, e.g. rabies, tetanus), Upper Bir.

Go next

 * Dharamsala and McLeodGanj, the seat of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, are two-and-a-half to three hours from Bir.
 * Rewalsar (Tsopema). A town on a sacred lake associated with Guru Rinpoche. Around two and a half hours from Bir
 * Shiva Temple – Located in nearby Baijnath and dating from 1204 CE, the temple is a beautiful example of the Nagara style of early medieval North Indian temple architecture. The temple is dedicated to Shiva as Vaidyanath, ‘the Lord of Physicians’. Said to be the location of one of the 12 jyotirlingas.
 * Tashijong – another Tibetan settlement with a lay community of about 400 people and a Drukpa Kagyu monastery (established by the 8th Khamtrul Rinpoche) with about 140 monks near Palampur.

title: Bir


text:
Birao

Birao is a remote and out of the way place in the very north of the Central African Republic. It is close to the Chad and Sudan border so there is some trade going on but mostly the place suffers from lack of government attention and money.

Understand
In March 2007, the town was almost completely burnt down in the fighting between rebels and government troops in the area.

Climate
Birao is hot to sweltering throughout the year, with every month having an average maximum over 30 °C or 86 °F. The period before the wet season breaks in March and April sees average maxima reach 39.7 °C or 103.5 °F. The wet season lasts from May to September, peaking in July and August, and is cooler by day than the long dry season but just as uncomfortable due to the higher humidity.

Get in
Birao is 45 km from the border with Sudan and 60 km from that of Chad. The city is also 150 km north of Ouanda Djallé and above all 300 km from Nyala, the nearest major city. (Birao is 1,000 km from Bangui and from N'Djamena, and 1,600 km from Khartoum.

The airstrip is no longer usable, but 10 km south of Birao - just where the laterite soil turns into sand - there is a big airstrip, so connection with the capital Bangui is a matter of hours. However, fuel for the airplanes is rare (often months on end not available) and very costly.

title: Birao


text:
Biratnagar

Biratnagar is a metropolitan municipality and the second largest city of Nepal. It is the fourth largest city by total population. The city is a located in Morang district of Eastern Nepal.

Understand
With a population of over 200,000 in 2011, Biratnagar is the fourth largest city in Nepal, and it is near the Terai on the south-eastern border with India.

Get in
A flight from Kathmandu (290 km) takes 40–45 minutes if there isn't any air traffic, and single tickets cost about US$220 for foreigners and around ₹2860 for nationals on domestic airlines.

By bus it may take 10–13 hours of time for about ₹700-900. There are two ways in travelling by bus: one is in day and other in night. In comparison to day, night buses are safe to travel because at night there are no strikes or road blockades. While travelling by bus you can witness the beauty of various scenes that one misses by aeroplanes. Its good to take food of your own because the hotels on the way serve bad quality food. Only the bus personnel get proper food.

Get around
Rickshaws and/or walking are good options within the city. Expect to pay about ₹2 per minute if using a rickshaw, depending on how many people you are or if you have a lot of cargo. There are no official taxi service, but taxis are easily available at airport, near Mahendra Chowk and from major hotels. There are tempoo's (auto rickshaws) around the city that are a cheaper means of transport than all other transportation option. Buses aren't used that frequently for transportation.

Buy
An ATM is available on the main commercial avenue. There are a number of ATMs in Biratnagar. Take Main street north from Traffic Chowk (police station), there is one on the right side, then five minutes further north you turn left and find one. Similarly, you can get lot more.

For groceries, there is a supermarket near (ex-) Mahendra Chowk.

Eat

 * Unique Fast Food Restaurant on the main commercial avenue (not the one that comes from the airport) has a clean and funny interior, and decent food.

title: Biratnagar


text:
Birbhum

Birbhum (Bengali: বীরভূম Bīrbhūm) is a district of West Bengal and the "land of red soil". It is famous for its cultural, natural and religious attractions.

Cities

 * (Siuri) — headquarters of Birbhum with morabba sweets
 * (Jaydev Kenduli) — birthplace of Jayadeva, a 12th-century Sanskrit poet, also famous for the old temple and fair
 * — birthplace of Tarasankar Bandyopadhyay, home to the Fullara Temple
 * — birthplace of Chandidas, a Sanskrit poet
 * — town of Rabindranath Tagore's Visva-Bharati University, known for exotic handmade goods
 * — home to the temple of Ma Tara
 * — birthplace of Chandidas, a Sanskrit poet
 * — town of Rabindranath Tagore's Visva-Bharati University, known for exotic handmade goods
 * — home to the temple of Ma Tara
 * — home to the temple of Ma Tara

Understand
Birbhum (BIHR-bhoom) has seen many cultural and religious movements in history. The Visva Bharati University at Santiniketan is one of the famous sites in Birbhum is known for. Many festivals are celebrated in the district, including Poush Mela and Choitro Sankranti. Birbhum is also famous for the group of itinerant singers called bauls (বাউল bāul).

Climate
The climate of Birbhum is generally dry, mild and healthy. The hot weather usually lasts from the middle of March to the middle of June, the rainy season from the middle of June to the middle of October, and the cold weather from the middle of October to the middle of March. They do not always correspond to these limits.

Talk
Like most of West Bengal, Bengali is the main language in the region. Hindi and English are understood in the district. English is generally more understood than Hindi, especially in the eastern areas. Tribal languages like Santali are also common in Birbhum.

By train
The cities in Birbhum are well-connected by train. A lot of express trains have a stop at Santiniketan. There are MEMU local trains up to Rampurhat.

By car
The NH 114 runs north–south in Birbhum and it is useful to get to Santiniketan and Sainthia. The Panagarh–Morgram Highway also runs north–south in the district and it is useful to get to Dubrajpur, Suri, Tarapith and Nalhati. A link road connects Panagarh–Morgram Highway to NH 114 near Santiniketan.

Get around
The cities in Birbhum are well-connected by road and train.

By rickshaw
Like most of West Bengal, there are three types of rickshaws in Birbhum: cycle rickshaws, auto-rickshaws and electric rickshaws. Cycle rickshaws can carry two people and are useful for short distances. Auto-rickshaws, also called "autos", can carry three or four people and are useful for medium distances. Electric rickshaws, also called "totos", can carry four or five people and are also useful for short and medium distances.

See and do
There are too many attractions in Birbhum to be visited in a week tour. Birbhum is full of cultural, natural and religious attractions, including the Visva-Bharati University in Santiniketan, five Shakti Pithas (Bakreshwar, Fullara, Nalhati, Sainthia and Tarapith), Mama Bhagne, Amkhoi Wood Fossil Park and so on. Visva-Bharati University is famous for its gurukula method of education. Mama Bhagne is famous for its unusual rock balancing. Amkhoi Wood Fossil Park is the only fossil park in West Bengal.

Eat and drink
If you are the adventurous type, try the fresh toddy juice as the tappers bring it down early in the morning beside roads in rural areas. However, avoid it later in the day because fermentation starts.

title: Birbhum


text:
Birdsville

Birdsville is a remote town in outback Queensland, right on the edge of the Simpson Desert. It has a population of around 300, but a steady stream of visitors heading outback or returning from the desert. The Birdsville track occupies a place in Australian folklore, but with a few sensible precautions this is an outback town accessible to all.

Understand
Being an outback town also means that there are extremes of temperature. Expect hot summers with average maximums at nearly 40°C, and some days of extreme heat. Winter is more mild, with warm days and cold nights. Rain is uncommon, but heavy rains can isolate the town for days, and can occur at any time of year - but most likely in summer. April to October are the best months to visit.

By plane
Birdsville has its own, and aviation related tourism is significant for the town. The airport is buzzing with general aviation flights for the Birdsville races. The airport terminal itself is right across the road from the pub, and (if you are so inclined) you can be seated at the bar with your first cold one within 5 minutes of stepping off the plane.

 * Rex flies to Brisbane via a meandering route through the Queensland outback. (Windorah/Quilpie/Charleville/Brisbane, Bedourie/Boulia/Mount Isa)

By car
A two-wheel drive vehicle is usually okay along the Birdsville track. Check local road conditions, and the predicted weather. The roads can close to all or just 2 wheel drive vehicles. Any road trip to Birdsville requires preparation. A careful eye on the weather and road conditions and a few survival rations on board. It will take you longer to drive from Brisbane than it would if you were to drive to Melbourne or Cairns.

Get around
Shuttle buses run to the races and to the music festival when they are on. The town itself is very small you wouldn't need a car to get between the Caravan Park, the pub and the billabong. You'll need a car (or a plane) to continue your trip.

Eat

There is a cafe at the caravan park.

Drink
There is a single hotel, serving both canned and bottled beer.

Sleep

There is also accommodation at the pub.

During race week, and for the music festival you will be expected to camp, unless you get in early.

Connect
Telstra and Optus both provide services in town. However, during race week, the network can be at capacity.

Go next
Bedourie, Betoota, Innamincka, Moomba, Jundah, Finke, Boulia and Lyndhurst

title: Birdsville


text:
Birgunj

Birgunj is a city in Parsa district, Nepal.

Understand

The city is located on the borders with the Indian state of Bihar, and is a major point of entry for goods coming from India and also the port of Kolkata.

Get in
Flights to the city are available from Kathmandu to an airport city called Jeetpur-Simara from where it takes around 30 minutes to reach Birgunj. If you have hotels booked then there is possibility of pick up from the airport to the hotel or you can hire some cabs.

If you want to travel by land then there are several buses leaving from Kathmandu and some are really good services. There are also night buses leaving from Kathmandu to Birgunj and these are the best buses running in Nepal.

Travel by Tata Sumo (jeep) from Birgunj to Kathmandu takes 4-5 hours and is a bumpy ride at best—perhaps not for the faint of heart. The ride should cost INR350-400 (NPR 600).

For more details on crossing the border from India to Birgunj, see the information under 'Get Out' on its Indian sister's town page Raxaul.

See
Though it is not a tourist hot spot, you can see Lord Buddha stupa on a tiny hillock called Vishwa. Apart from this, Gadhi Mai is a well known Hindu Goddess temple which holds a mighty fair every five years. Hindus from all over the world come here to sacrifice animals to show thankfulness to the goddess.Animal sacrificed on this occasion is one of the highest amount in the world. To the west of Birgunj, Bindawasni mai is another historical and religious place. Jang Bhandur Rana, the first Rana prime minister held a massacre in which hundreds of people died as a result of royal conspiracy. To the north of the city there is Parsa Wildlife Reserve & Chitwan National Park, two of the biggest national parks having 100s of endangered species. Tigers, elephants, musk deer, Gharials, Red hornedbills Etc. are main attractions.

Eat
There are a few restaurants in Birgunj that are not part of any hotels. Example : Shri Riddhi Siddhi, Anmol Sweets, Kanchha Sweets, Mangalam Sweets, Paratha House, Biriyani House, Hukka Bar, etc. Apart from these, good Hotels do have attached Restaurants in them. Some of them are : Hotel Makalu Restaurant, Hotel Pujan Restaurant, Hotel Vishwa Restaurant, Hotel Himal Restaurant, Hotel Shah Paradise Restaurant, Hotel Suraj Restaurant, Hotel Ichchha (at airport city in Jeetpur Simara) etc. These restaurants serve a variety of western, Indian and Nepali food in the city.

Birgunj has a nice blend of local and Indian street food available. Most hygienic ones are situated on the Main road, Maisthan and in Adarshnagar area.

Drink
There are many takeaway alcohol stores on side streets, a block either side off the main road. Otherwise hotel restaurants serve alcohol.

Sleep
Most hotels are located on, or a few meters off, the main road.

An abundance of mosquitoes in April, together with heat of 40C, made sleep almost impossible without a good fan in early April.

Connect
If you're looking for a local Ncell SIM card, Birgunj has an official Ncell store halfway up the main road on the right from the border as you walk towards the large tower in the middle of the road. They speak perfect English! For more information about telecommunications in Nepal, have a look under the 'Contact' section in Nepal.

Go next
To get to Kathmandhu, your only options are private bus or jeep (sumo). Buses leave 6AM-10AM, then 7PM-10PM, with a 'deluxe' bus leaving daily at 7PM. Sumo's/Jeeps's can usually be taken from 6AM-3PM, and cost Rs 500 NPR per person in a ten-person shared Jeep, or Rs. 6000 NPR for a whole private jeep to yourself or your travelling companions. To get either a bus or jeep, you'll need to go to the bus station, which is located just off the main road. Keep going north (3 km from the border) until you reach a large tower in the middle of a round-a-bout. Take a right hand turn and the bus stop is 50m down that road. While it's little more than a dirt patch in the north of town, you'll know you got there as there are always plenty of buses parked. A cycle rickshaw should be about NPR 80 for the distance. Jeeps leave when full, from near the road (not towards the back of the bus stop) so expect to wait up to an hour.

For information on crossing the border into India, you may find the information under the 'Go Next section of Raxaul useful.

title: Birgunj


text:
Birkenhead

Birkenhead is a town on Merseyside, England, on the Wirral peninsula in the historic county boundaries of Cheshire, across the River Mersey from Liverpool. It is not a tourist destination in its own right but can make for a rewarding afternoon trip from Liverpool, and is well worth a couple of hours.

Understand
The town grew around the huge Cammell Laird's shipbuilding works, its population peaking in the 1921 census when it was the 20th most populated town in England. Landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted was so impressed by Birkenhead's public municipal park after a visit in 1850, he incorporated many of its features into his work on New York's Central Park.

In 2011, it was home to 89,000 people.

By road
Birkenhead can be reached by the Mersey tunnels from Liverpool (toll payable) or the M53 from Chester.

By train
It takes 3 minutes for a Merseyrail Wirral line train to travel from Liverpool James Street. These trains serve all loop stations in Liverpool, taking 2 additional minutes for each. These are the 4 stations most useful to visitors (the number in brackets is how many additional minutes it takes for the train to reach this station from Hamilton Square):

By sea

 * Dublin, via Isle of Man Steam Packet, MS Ben-my-Chree during winter.
 * Dublin, via Isle of Man Steam Packet, MS Ben-my-Chree during winter.

Get around

Frequent and reliable Merseyrail services operate between the town's stations. There is also an extensive bus network. Saveaway tickets are valid on all public transport in Birkenhead. These can be purchased at any staffed railway or bus stations in Merseyside. An "all areas" ticket is best, if intending to also travel to Liverpool, Chester, Ellesmere Port, Formby or Southport. The ticket costs about £5 per day, for off-peak use. Alternatively, a slightly cheaper "area B" ticket will cover most of Wirral.

See

At Woodside, the riverside by the Mersey affords an excellent panorama of Liverpool city centre including all of its iconic buildings. There is also a wealth of interesting industrial buildings, structures and artefacts in the outlying docklands area. Some of these are very well-kept, while others are either derelict, or in quite unkempt surroundings; but all reflect the town's industrial heritage. Examples include:

Further outside the centre of town, Bidston Hill provides an interesting group of buildings amongst the heathland:

Do

 * Watch football at
 * Watch football at
 * Watch football at
 * Watch football at
 * Take a short trip on a vintage tram along the Wirral Tramway, between Woodside ferry terminal and the Wirral Transport Museum, during summer weekend afternoons.  Birkenhead Hamilton Square.
 * Explore Birkenhead Park. The first public park and the inspiration for Central Park, New York. It is larger than most parks and has some beautiful wooded areas and duck ponds. Especially popular in the summer months.  Birkenhead Park.
 * The Ferry 'cross the Mersey, immortalised in the Gerry and the Pacemakers song, is considered by many to be essential on any trip to Liverpool, and by definition involves a trip to Birkenhead. Terminals are Birkenhead Woodside and Liverpool Pier Head.  Birkenhead Hamilton Square or Liverpool James Street.

Buy
Visit Birkenhead Shopping Precinct. Birkenhead has the usual unexciting array of British high-street chain stores for your everyday requirements. Those seeking specialist shops or anything a cut above the norm should head across the water to Liverpool.  Conway Park or Birkenhead Central.

Musicians who are in the area for the International Guitar Festival, or are staying on this side of the river during the annual Beatles festival, can use the following:

Connect
As of Aug 2022, the town and its approach roads have 4G from EE and O2, and 5G from Three and Vodafone. Wifi is widely available in public places.

Go next

 * Port Sunlight, William Lever's model village, is 15 minutes away and is easily accessed by rail or road. 4-6 trains per hour
 * The Wirral coast between New Brighton and West Kirby has some excellent walking and off-road cycling opportunities, including the Wirral Way. 2-4 trains per hour on each branch.
 * The ancient walled city of Chester is 30 minutes away by road or rail. 2-4 trains per hour

title: Birkenhead


text:
Birmingham (Alabama)

Birmingham is the largest city in Alabama, and its cultural and economic nucleus. While it's best remembered as the site of protest, bombings, and other racial tumult during the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s, visitors to the Birmingham of today will find a pleasant green city of ridges, valleys, attractive views, and friendly, hospitable people.

Understand
Birmingham (unlike the city in England, the "h" is not silent here) has a population of 210,000 in the city (2018) and 1.2 million in the metro area (2010).

History
Generally speaking, most of the modern-day big cities of the Southern United States got their start in the 18th or very early 19th century as frontier forts or trading posts (or, in the case of coastal cities like Charleston or Norfolk, as seaports), then grew through the antebellum period into administrative centers where folks from the surrounding areas would come to conduct government business and/or market towns where they came to sell their agricultural goods. Birmingham's history is very different from that.

For one thing, it's a lot younger than most Southern cities: although white settlers began arriving in the area in the 1810s or so, until after the Civil War there was nothing inside the modern-day city limits but rural farmland dotted with a few small towns (notably Elyton, of which the Arlington Antebellum Home, Birmingham's only, is a remnant). For another thing, its economic raison d'être had a lot more in common with Northern Rust Belt cities like Pittsburgh and Buffalo than anywhere else in the South. It's important to understand that the Civil War wrought total devastation on the former Confederacy, not only in terms of loss of life and physical destruction but also in terms of the structure of society. In the antebellum years, the Southern economy was based almost entirely around agriculture — specifically enormous plantations of cotton and other labor-intensive crops — and a rigid class system with rich white landowners at the top, black slaves at the bottom, and poor white subsistence farmers just a notch or two above the slaves, with little hope of upward mobility for either of the latter two groups. But the postwar abolition of slavery made that paradigm untenable. Meanwhile, this was also the time in history when the railroads were coming to the fore as America's main mode of long-distance transportation and freight shipping, and it just so happened that two of the new railroad lines that were being built across the South intersected in one of the few places in the world where iron ore, coal, and limestone — the main ingredients used to make steel — were all found in close proximity to one another. Thus was born the South's first major postwar industrial center, founded in 1871 and aptly named for the British city that's widely regarded as the cradle of the Industrial Revolution. The steel industry brought immediate and rapid growth to Birmingham — so rapid, in fact, that it earned the nickname "The Magic City". The nation as a whole, too, was rapidly urbanizing and industrializing, and many of the skyscrapers, ships, railroad tracks, automobiles, machinery, and other stuff of this new America was made from steel forged in Birmingham. Job openings in the mills were plentiful, as was cheap labor to fill them (courtesy of a steady inflow of Greek and Italian immigrants as well as unskilled workers from the surrounding rural hinterlands), and they say it used to take only a few minutes outdoors for a clean white shirt to turn gray in the sooty air. In short, this was Birmingham's golden age. (A visit to the Sloss Furnaces is a must for anyone interested in this era of Birmingham's history.)

By 1929, Birmingham had grown to a population of nearly 260,000 and become one of the largest cities in the South (behind only New Orleans and Louisville and more-or-less tied with Atlanta). But, of course, 1929 also saw the onset of the Great Depression, which brought the steel mills and workhouses to a near standstill — in fact, many economists of the time singled out Birmingham as the city in America that was hardest hit by the economic crisis. Even after conditions improved, the changes wrought by the Depression were enduring: even through World War II and the prosperous postwar years, when the mills were once again running at full capacity, the gradual shift in focus away from heavy industry and toward white-collar professional fields was palpable.

It's in the context of this transition that Birmingham's pivotal role in the Civil Rights Movement must be understood. Spurred on by a growing list of victories in the preceding years — the desegregation by military force of Little Rock High School and the University of Mississippi, the Freedom Rides, the Montgomery bus boycott — Dr. Martin Luther King and his Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) began their "Birmingham campaign" in 1963, joining with an incipient local activist community headed by Rev. Fred Shuttlesworth of Bethel Baptist Church to address the concerns of a black community that was sick of being excluded from what desirable factory jobs remained. King and Shuttlesworth were confronted by Eugene "Bull" Connor, a longtime local politico whose extreme hostility toward integration and civil rights had made him a notorious and somewhat divisive figure even among Southern whites — and true to the latter's nature, many of the most well-known scenes of brutality that have come to characterize the Civil Rights Movement took place in Birmingham. As much as anything else, it's testament to the degree to which Dr. King's understanding of the power of television was key to the success of his nonviolence strategy: the images of peaceful protesters under attack by snarling dogs, fire hoses, and police brutality that were beamed into American living rooms on the TV news played a crucial role in turning public opinion against segregation, and in securing Congressional passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

In the years since, Birmingham has worked hard to exorcise the demons of its past, and has emerged from the postindustrial morass as a center for banking, insurance, and also — thanks to the world-renowned programs at the University of Alabama at Birmingham and associated hospitals — biomedical research. As well, after years of white flight and its attendant problems, Birmingham has joined the growing ranks of U.S. cities that are being rediscovered in the 21st century by young folks, with trendy neighborhoods like Five Points South, Highland Park, and Avondale emerging as destinations for fine dining and lively nightlife. The old Magic City became even more prominent in 2022 as host city of the World Games (rescheduled from 2021 thanks to COVID-19).

Climate
The weather in Birmingham varies greatly. Winter weather is highly unpredictable, with temperatures ranging from below 20°F (-5°C) to 60° or even 70°F (15° or even 20°C) throughout the season, with frequent rain and occasional snow. Summers are very hot and humid, with frequent thunderstorms. The best times to visit are spring and fall, when the weather is mild and pleasant and there's often a breeze in the air. Even within the city limits, the springtime displays of dogwood, cherry, azalea and other blossoms must be seen to be believed.

By car
Birmingham is linked to the rest of the U.S. by the Interstate highway network. The principal interstates and highways serving the city are:

From the north, i.e. from Nashville and Louisville, I-65 and US 31 run more or less parallel to each other. I-59 approaches from Chattanooga and points northeast; you will possibly come from this direction if driving from the northeastern U.S. US 11 also comes from this direction.

Atlanta to the east, the biggest city nearby and with a major international airport, is connected to Birmingham by I-20. US 280 comes in from Columbus, Georgia to the southeast and further on from Florida. From places to the south, such as Montgomery and other parts of southern Alabama, comes I-65 and next to it US 31.

From Meridian in the southwest comes I-20 and I-59, the former from Jackson, Shreveport and Dallas, the latter from New Orleans and the Gulf Coast. I-22 and US 78 lead to Birmingham from the northwest, i.e. Tupelo and Memphis.

Finally, I-459 circumvents the city on the southeastern side.

Avoid rush hour (7AM-9AM and 4-6PM) if possible; for details on usual spots for rush hour tie-ups, see Get around#By car.

By bus
Birmingham is served by Greyhound and Megabus, both of which pick up and drop off downtown at the brand-new on Morris Avenue between 17th and 18th Streets North. The building also serves as the central station for the municipal bus system, so if you'll be using public transit to get around during your stay, you're all set.

By train
The Birmingham Intermodal Station is also served by Amtrak via its Crescent service, running daily between New York and New Orleans.

By car
This is by far the easiest and most reliable way to get around town — with the notable exception of rush hour, which can last from 6AM-9AM and 4-6PM. In particular, I-59, I-65, and Highway 280 in and around downtown are to be avoided at these times. Aside from that, though, getting around on four wheels is a breeze, and so is parking, even downtown: metered on-street parking is plentiful and reasonably priced, and usually free in the evening and on weekends.

By bus
Public transit is available in Birmingham and the surrounding area, though it's not what you'd call convenient, especially on weekends or in areas far outside the central core. The Birmingham Jefferson County Transit Authority runs both the MAX Bus System and the DART Bus Trolley, which operate M-Th from 10AM-10PM, F Sa until midnight and Su until 9PM.

By bike
There's a bike rental system called Zyp BikeShare, with bike stations around the city. You can use the bike for 45 minutes a time for a price of $3, if you keep the bike for a longer time, there's an overtime charge of $2 for the first 30 minutes, and $4 for each additional 30 minutes.

To start using the bikes, first register through the Zyp app or online to buy a Go pass (which means you pay for each ride), or purchase a one- or three-day or one month pass through the app and from one of the Zyp kiosks.

If you have one of the passes with unlimited rides for a day, three days or a month, you will still have to return the bike to a station within 45 minutes to avoid paying overtime fees (but you can immediately start using the bike again after returning it).

On foot
The downtown areas of Birmingham (notably separated by railroad tracks into a "north" and "south" side) are quite compact, so walking is a reasonable way to get from place to place within the central district. However, walking from downtown to further-flung neighborhoods such as Avondale or Woodlawn is not a viable option: aside from the distance and the lack of consistently available sidewalks or other pedestrian infrastructure, depending on the time of year even avid walkers might have to contend with summer temperatures that reach 100°F (40°C) regularly, and heat indices higher still.

History
The bulk of Birmingham's most famous tourist attractions revolve around the city's role in the Civil Rights Movement.

The Birmingham Civil Rights Institute is immediately adjacent to:

Other Civil Rights Movement-related landmarks in Birmingham include...

Industrial history buffs will find much of interest in Birmingham as well.

And, representing a period still further in the past, even before the foundation of the City of Birmingham, is...

Do
In addition to standard activities, Birmingham also has tons of outdoor adventures such as paintballing, four-wheeling and hunting, during season.

Spectator sports
Birmingham doesn't field teams in any of North America's big four pro sports leagues, but no matter — if you just want to take in a nice baseball or soccer game without paying through the nose for tickets or dealing with enormous crowds and hoopla, here's your chance.

In Birmingham, a bigger draw by far than pro sports are the University of Alabama at Birmingham's (UAB) college teams.

Protective Stadium replaced not only as the home of the Blazers, but also as the host of two significant games.

Finally, Protective Stadium houses a team in a spring professional football league:

Annual events
As you might expect in a city with a muggy subtropical climate, Birmingham's festival seasons are spring and fall, rather than summer.

Buy
While Birmingham's restaurant and nightlife scene may be vibrant (read on), retail still has a lot of catching up to do. You'll still find the bulk of the action outside the city line in places like Homewood and Hoover, and along Highway 280, where shopping malls and big-box stores predominate. Antique shops are an exception; you'll find some good ones of those scattered around downtown and in Southside neighborhoods like Highland Park and Five Points South.

Speaking of Five Points South, two independent shops that are worth your time if you're strolling through that area are on 11th Ave S, where local hipsters flock to pick up the latest tunes on wax, and  on 20th St S, which, even if you're not in the middle of a DIY home improvement project, is still worth browsing around just for the sheer throwback aspect: it really is like stepping into a time machine and going back to the 1950s.

Shopping malls
Again, the majority of these are found in the 'burbs. However, here are a couple of alternatives within city limits:

Eat
Most visitors are pleasantly surprised at the large dining scene in Birmingham, a city which has numerous well-known restaurants with famous chefs. Ask locals about best "meat and 3" places for soul food.

Budget

Stay safe
Common-sense rules apply for most of the city center, e.g. travel in groups at night, don't look like a tourist, avoid dark alleyways, etc. While the city has a reputation for crime, dangerous areas are generally far away from anywhere of interest to tourists. Avoid the areas north of the civic center and west of I-65.

By contrast, downtown is very well patrolled, and other than common sense against normal big city stuff (e.g. beggars asking for money), there is not much to worry about. The same is true of the Five Points South neighborhood, so if you're headed to one of the swanky restaurants, pubs, or dance clubs over there, there's no need to fear.

The downtown area has a supplemental bike patrol called CAP (City Action Partnership) to deter crime and assist visitors. for a free security escort, directions, assistance with a dead car battery, etc.

Connect
The region has two telephone area code, 205 and 659, so you must dial all ten digits of a phone number.

WiFi
There are many locations in Birmingham that offer free WiFi access, foremost among which are the 19 branches of the Birmingham Public Library. The largest and most centrally located of these is the...

Hospitals
As an important clinical research center, UAB Medical School operates most of the important hospitals in Birmingham. Their medical district south of downtown includes the 1,157-bed for a complete range of general medical concerns, as well as the  for pediatric care. An alternative to those is, Birmingham's oldest, operated since 1898 by the Catholic Daughters of Charity and especially renowned as a center for cardiology and robotics surgery.

Media
Published three times weekly and distributed to about 150,000 subscribers across Jefferson County, the Birmingham News is the paper of record for the area. The Birmingham Weekly is the city's alternative newspaper, proffering a mix of local news, cultural coverage, event listings, and commentary of a decidedly more left-wing bent than most of the area's media.

Consulates

 * 🇫🇮 Finland
 * 🇩🇪 Germany

Suburbs

 * If retail therapy is in order, a 10-minute drive south from downtown on I-65 puts you in Hoover. The ambience is a bit plastic-fantastic but undeniably upscale, with all the shopping malls, chain restaurants, and big-box stores to slake your appetite for the familiar after taking in Birmingham's unique and funky city neighborhoods.
 * In the same direction as Hoover but even closer to town, Homewood is another upscale suburb, albeit one with character — especially in the charming little downtown area at the foot of Red Mountain. Homewood is also where you'll find Samford University, home of the Alabama Men's Hall of Fame — and Division I football and basketball tickets that are a good sight cheaper than games at UAB.
 * If you'd rather sink your teeth further into the Birmingham area's industrial history, and a little bit of grit doesn't faze you, head down I-20 to the working-class suburb of Bessemer, where much of Alabama's steel industry in the 20th century played out. The mills have mostly been idle since the 1970s, and the city's struggles with unemployment and its attendant problems are plain to see, but monuments to the good old days abound — check out the Tannehill Ironworks just outside of town. And if you'd like to "sink your teeth into" something else, Bessemer is also a rather unlikely foodie destination, home to Alabama's oldest operating restaurant and some of the best barbecue around these parts.

Further afield

 * "Roll Tide" is the phrase that pays in Tuscaloosa, the college town and former state capital that lies about an hour southwest of Birmingham along I-20. There's plenty of history, art, and culture to be found among the oak-lined streets of the "Druid City", but undoubtedly the main attraction is the University of Alabama itself — especially on football game days, when Bryant-Denny Stadium has been known to pack in over 100,000 fans (more than the population of the city!)
 * A 45-minute drive northward along I-65 will put you in Cullman, home to St. Bernard Abbey, the only Benedictine abbey in Alabama. The Ave Maria Grotto, a miniature fairytale land on the grounds of the abbey, has been a favorite among visitors since it opened in 1934.
 * Press further northward into the mountains and the next big city you'll come to is Huntsville. Formerly a sleepy cotton town, Huntsville shot to prominence in the years after World War II, when the U.S. government sent Dr. Wernher Von Braun and his team of scientists to the Redstone Arsenal to design missiles for the army. A decade later, NASA came to town and set up the Marshall Space Center to develop the propulsion system that would soon put American astronauts on the Moon, and... well, you can see why they call it the "Rocket City".
 * Head the other direction on I-65, and in about an hour and a half you're in Alabama's state capital, Montgomery, a city replete with history, mostly of the unsavory variety — former capital of the Confederacy; home of one of the most active slave-trading markets in the U.S. in the years before the Civil War; site of Rosa Parks' infamous bus boycott. Montgomery wrestles with the ghosts of its past at the National Memorial for Peace & Justice, but it's not all somber reflection here: there's also a renowned Shakespeare Festival, a turn-of-the-century downtown turned living-history museum, and other cultural attractions.
 * Sure, Birmingham is Alabama's biggest city. But for the Southern metropolitan experience par excellence, head about two hours east along I-20 to Atlanta, where big-league sports, world-class cultural institutions, cutting-edge cuisine, and urban-style hustle and bustle await.

title: Birmingham (Alabama)


text:
Birmingham (disambiguation)

There is more than one place called Birmingham

While the spelling is the same, the English town is properly pronounced with a silent h while the Alabama town has a spoken h.

United Kingdom

 * Birmingham, a city in the West Midlands of England, the original and largest city of this name.
 * Birmingham Airport

United States of America

 * Birmingham (Alabama) - a city in Alabama.
 * Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport
 * Birmingham (Michigan) - a town in Michigan.

title: Birmingham (disambiguation)