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Mae Hong Son Loop

The Mae Hong Son Loop is a popular route through Northern Thailand, particularly with motorcyclists and bicyclists.

Understand
Travel through the most forested province in Thailand. Also one of the most authentic, its rural beauty and cultural tapestry with influences from the Shan minority and ethnic hill tribes lend Mae Hong Son its charm. For those looking to get out of the bustling Chiang Mai, to experience authentic northern culture, the Mae Hong Son Loop is the perfect trip.

The loop is approximately 600 km long and needs at least four days to complete. It is a circular route which starts from Chiang Mai and takes you through Mae Hong Son Province ending back up at Chiang Mai. The Mae Hong Son Loop can be travelled clockwise (Chiang Mai-Mae Sariang-Mae Hong Son-Pai-Chiang Mai) or counter-clockwise (Chiang Mai-Pai-Mae Hong Son- Mae Sariang-Chiang Mai).

Prepare
As with anywhere in Thailand, sunscreen and mosquito repellent are musts. If you're planning to do the loop in the winter months (Nov-Feb) take warm clothing (light jacket, sweater, trousers) as temperatures can drop at night. For those who suffer from car sickness, some motion sickness tablets are also recommended before the start of the trip. Try to find a copy of the GT-Rider Mae Hong Son Loop map (99 baht).

Get in
Public buses connect all legs of the loop: Chiang Mai, Pai, Mae Hong Son, Mae Sariang.

to Mae Sariang
Starting from Chiang Mai and assuming a clockwise direction, Hwy 108 and 1009 will take you to the highest mountain in Thailand, Doi Inthanon. The windy road up to the peak of Doi Inthanon, 2,500 m in elevation, is also a national park. There are some remarkable waterfalls along this route including Mae Ya and Wachiratharn. You will also pass plenty of hill tribe market stands along the roadside selling local produce. Just before the summit there is a viewpoint where two impressive royal chedis stand majestically on the side of the mountain. This spot sometimes offers a good view of the valley below, however most of the time visibility is masked by the clouds due to the high altitude. Standing shrouded in this veil of clouds at the highest point in Thailand feels quite ethereal, as if you were on top of the world. Visiting Doi Inthanon is a significant detour from the road straight to Mae Sariang, and can cause the first day to be quite time constrained. Make sure you leave Chiang Mai early to fit everything in!

Back down to the base of Doi Inthanon and onto Mae Chaem, a traditional town home to a mix of hill tribes such as the Lisu, Hmong, and Lawa. From here you can either head straight to Mae Hong Son via Khun Yuam on Rte 1088 or take the off-road route to Mae Sariang.

The town of Mae Sariang retains much of the charm, culture, and character that is often missing in areas filled with tourists. There are many bars and cute hotels along the riverside. The hiking routes here are among the most authentic in the north, and are popular with travellers seeking a less commercialised trek. Surrounding the town are many sights and potential day trips such as Mae Sam Laep, the Burmese-style village on the banks of the Salawin River where a longtail boat can be hired for the day to cruise down the river, the Salawin National Park, and Mae Ngao National Park. Near the local Mae Sariang Boripat Suksa School, there is an open-air muay Thai stadium where you can take Thai boxing classes. Up the road to Mae Hong Son, there is a cultural centre with arts and crafts. You can even learn woodcarving there. Mae Sariang is a great place to rent a bicycle and explore the surrounding rice fields.

to Mae Hong Son
After Mae Sariang the next destination is the capital of Mae Hong Son Province, Mae Hong Son, which is also the half-way point on the loop.

Mae Hong Son lies at the bottom of a valley among the mountain ranges that form the border of Burma and Thailand. Its remote location gives it a secluded and tranquil feel, while its proximity to Burma gives rise to the mix of people who reside there: Burmese, Shan, Thai, and hill tribe groups. This volatile blend of people and cultures gives Mae Hong Son a very distinct feel.

The centre of the town is built around Nong Jong Kham Lake and temple where you will find an array of guesthouses and restaurants. A small evening market where locals and hill tribes come to sell their wares, is also held here daily. It's a great place to pick up handicrafts and souvenirs such as woodcarvings, silverware, precious stones, and antiques.

Mae Hong Son has many Burmese and Shan-style temples. The most famous of them, and a must-see attraction, is Wat Doi Kong Mu, which sits on a hilltop and offers spectacular views of the town below. Other sights and activities include hill tribe treks, long neck Karen villages, elephant riding, bamboo rafting, and Phu Klon Country Club, a health mud spa.

The segment on Hwy 1095 from Mae Hong Son to Chiang Mai is arguably one of the most scenic drives in the north, but is not for the queasy. This mountain road is reputed to have over 1,864 curves in it. The jolts and bends on this road make it the fun fair ride of the north, but the continuously spectacular views make it worth it. The journey can be broken up by stop-off visits to Pha Sua waterfall, Tham Pla fish cave, and Tham Lod. Tham Lod, which means "coffin cave", is a favourite among tourists and is near Soppong. It is famous for its stalactite and stalagmite formations and ancient wood coffins. A bamboo raft and guide can be hired to explore the cave.

to Pai
The last destination on the loop, also worth spending an overnight, is the town of Pai, an unexpected find in a remote mountain valley. Twenty years ago the town of Pai was a few dirt roads and shops. As tourists discovered the natural beauty of the Pai River and its surrounding valley, businesses and development followed not long after, and it turned into the little backpacker settlement that it is today. Popular among hippy and artistic types, both Thai and foreign, the feel is very much new-age and has earned Pai the title of "Khao San Road of the north".

This small town is filled with bohemian cafes, restaurants, book stores, and guesthouses. During high season, from Oct-Feb, the nightlife comes alive and the tunes of Bob Marley can always be heard. During the day visitors take advantage of the hot springs, rafting, and trekking opportunities in the beautiful surrounding countryside.

If you prefer something less touristy than Pai, you could stay in Pangmapha (Soppong), which is 75 km from Mae Hong Son and 45 km before you arrive in Pai. The still traditional feel of the village, caves, jungle trekking, and many hill tribe villages make Pangmapha an attractive destination.

to Chiang Mai
After a relaxing respite in Pai the loop is almost complete. Some 120 km back on Hwy 1095 will transport you out of the rugged mountains and back to the sprawl of Chiang Mai.

If you have more time, consider extending the loop by heading North to Chiang Rai, stopping overnight at Chiang Dao and Mae Salong.

See
There are various detours possible, for example:

title: Mae Hong Son Loop


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Mae Hong Son Province

Mae Hong Son Province is a region in Northern Thailand.

Cities

 * – well-known for its tea and strong Chinese presence
 * - picturesque little provincial capital with lush valleys
 * - small town on the Mae Hong Son Loop
 * - popular with those seeking a respite from Pai
 * Nai Soi - small village and refugee camp of the Padaung hill tribe ("long necks")
 * - a laid-back backpacker atmosphere and a good starting point for trekking tours
 * (Soppong) - a small town with a predominantly hill tribe population between Pai and Mae Hong Son

Understand
Mae Hong Son (The City of Three Mists) is nestled in a deep valley hemmed in by high mountain ranges; Mae Hong Son has long been isolated from the outside world. It is one of the remotest provinces in Thailand. Tourists are attracted to the area due to its pristine virgin forests, spectacular mountains, lush valleys, indigenous wildlife, and fascinating hill tribes. Pai district has now evolved as Thailand ‘hippiest’ hang-outs, second only to Ko Pha Ngan. It is the most mountainous province in Thailand and encompasses 13,814 square kilometres. It is virtually covered with mist throughout the year. The terrain is highly suitable for the training of elephants. Former rulers of Chiang Mai used to organize the round up of wild elephants which were then trained before being sent to the capital for work. Today, Mae Hong Son is a prime destination for visitors. Daily flights into its small airport bring growing numbers of tourists, attracted by the spectacular scenery, numerous hill tribe communities, and soft adventure opportunities.

People
The Thai Yai (Shan) can be seen along the northern border with Burma. They may at one time have been the most numerous of the ethnic Thai tribes that stretch across Southeast Asia. A large group settled in Mae Hong Son.

The Thai Yai culture has had a strong influence on the province, as can be seen in its architecture. Although a part of the Lanna region, the indigenous Thai Yai people living in Mae Hong Son are faced with cold weather during winter and extremely hot weather in the summer, with mist or fog practically throughout the whole year. Not surprisingly they have had to adapt to the environment. As a result, their architectural style has developed into something different from other Lanna communities. Their living quarters are usually built with tall floors and low roofs, the sizes differing according to one’s social status and position. Homes of ordinary folk are usually with one single level of roof, while those of the local aristocrats have two or more levels forming a castle-like shape. The space thus provided is believed to help air circulation. A signal feature of the Thai Yai style is the perforated design along the eaves which serves as an architectural marker of the style.

The Padaung are a sub-group of Karen refugees originating from the eastern Burmese state of Kayah on the Thailand border.

The Karen themselves are not one single group but rather a loose mix of closely-related tribes. Among the smallest of the Karen tribes in Thailand are the Karen Padaung. This group’s women are strikingly recognized for the large brass rings they wear around their necks, thus lengthening them. They number fewer than 40,000 people. The Padaung call themselves "Lae Kur" or "Kayan" and they have their own unique language which originates from Tibeto-Burmese.

Itineraries
The Mae Hong Son Loop is one of the most comprehensive ways to explore the province. This is a 600 km circuit through this vast and mountainous province that starts and ends in Chiang Mai. This road trip takes you through some stunning landscape mountain scenery and opportunities to explore the rich ethnic culture and history of this traditional and rural part of northern Thailand.

Go next
From the provincial capital of Mae Hong Son there are daily flights and buses to Chiang Mai, daily buses to Bangkok (15 hr), Mae Sariang (3 hr), and Pai (3 hr).

Located very near Pai is the "hilltribe" town of Padaung. This village is one of the major tourist attractions in the area. Some people do complain though, that the village looks a bit like a "human zoo" and that it is a commercial enterprise owned by a company. To go or not, that decision is up to you.

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

title: Mae Hong Son Province


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Mae La Noi

Mae La Noi is a small town in Mae Hong Son Province, Northern Thailand. It lies approximately 50 km due south of Mae Hong Son on Rte 108.

Understand
One of the 7 districts of Mae Hong Son, Mae La Noi remains very traditional. Most of the population here are Shan, Lawa, or Karen Hilltribe. The town is very small with a market, ATM, hospital, post office. Most people pass through this town on the way from Mae Sariang to Mae Hong Son. The most famous thing about Mae La Noi is the Kaew Komol cave, an ancient calcite crystal cave.

Also of interest are the hill tribe villages nestled in the mountains off the main road in Mae La Noi.

Get in
There are daily buses from Chiang Mai, Mae Sot, and Mae Hong Son. An air-con bus from Mae Hong Son is 150 baht.

title: Mae La Noi


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Mae Nam

Mae Nam is a beach and a district on Ko Samui's north shore.

Understand
Mae Nam is known for it's 7 km stretch of beach. The beach has white sand and is lined by coconut trees. The sea is typically calm, however there is a moderate drift and the water is not usually clear. Mae Nam actually means "river", "mae" meaning mother and "nam" meaning water.

Get in
A songthaew from Chaweng (50-100 baht) or Nathon (50 baht) is the cheapest option. Easy to find as the busy ring road bisects Mae Nam.

Get around
Songthaew or hired motorbikes are the usual options.

See
The sunset from the east end of the beach is exceptionally pretty.

Do
Chill out on the beach. There is karting on the main road towards Bophut.

Buy
There are a couple of shops near the 7-Eleven in the centre.

Drink
There are a few relaxed beach bars with reclining beach beds. For nightlife head to Chaweng.

Sleep
There is usually a gentle breeze in Mae Nam so air-con is not essential.

Go next

 * Bang Rak
 * Bophut
 * Chaweng
 * Choeng Mon
 * Laem Yai
 * Lamai
 * Nathon
 * Samui South Coast

title: Mae Nam


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Mae Sai

Mae Sai (แม่สาย) is the northernmost city of Thailand. It is mainly a stepping stone for visits to Myanmar and has a few attractions of its own. Wat Pha That Doi Wao is an interesting temple complex on a hillside overlooking the border. It has a large scorpion facing (pointedly) toward Myanmar. The market in Mae Sai is marginally more expensive than that across the border in Tachilek, but has a slightly wider range of goods.

Get in
As of 26/11/2023 the land border between Mae Sai and Tachilek remains closed to foreigners, so don't visit Mae Sai expecting to hop into Myanmar for the day.

By bus
By bus from Chiang Rai or Chiang Mai. Buses from Chiang Rai are very frequent (every 10-15 min), cost 40 baht (one way) and take about 1½ hours, while buses from Chiang Mai take about 4 hours (210 baht one way). All public buses terminate at a bus station well south of Mae Sai, so you have to continue onward to the city proper with red songthaews waiting outside (20 baht per passenger fixed fare). The blue songthaews to/from the Golden Triangle and Chiang Saen, on the other hand, leave from a stand in the city centre a few hundred metres down the street from the border. The last blue songthaew that departs for Chiang Saen leaves at 14:00.

There are day-tours taking visitors to Mae Sai, the Golden Triangle, and a couple of other places to see on the way as well. Tourist minibuses are more expensive (around 800 baht for a day tour from Chiang Mai including lunch) and, if fully loaded (but this is not always the case), are much less comfortable. However, this is still an option worth considering, if you want to combine your visa run with a sightseeing tour through Chiang Rai Province.

By car
Mae Sai is 61 km from Chiang Rai on Hwy 110.

Get around
Mae Sai is a one-street town and the centre is easily covered on foot.

MaeSai Scooters has rentals and tours at a great price to see the most of this ethnic border town.

See

There's really only one place to visit in Mae Sai, but many visitors breeze past it on their way to Myanmar.

 * The gate that purports to mark the northernmost point of Thailand (good for pictures, but the actual northernmost point is few kilometres east from the town, where the Sai river joins the Ruak river coming from Myanmar).
 * The gate that purports to mark the northernmost point of Thailand (good for pictures, but the actual northernmost point is few kilometres east from the town, where the Sai river joins the Ruak river coming from Myanmar).

Do

 * Cross (which the Thais call Tha Khi Lek ท่าขี้เหล็ก). An entry permit valid for up to 14 days costs US$10 or alternatively 500 baht. People are given a paper entry permit and their passports are held at the immigration office until they return to Thailand. Stop at the entry point and talk with the Thai officials to organise this. It is easily done, but beware that if you're leaving Thailand shortly before your visa or, especially, the 30-day stamp expires, you may be questioned and they even may not allow you to go to Myanmar due to the current policy against "border runs", which once were a very popular reason for foreigners to go to Tachileik for a few hours and back to get another 30 days in Thailand visa-free. In the Tachilek market just over the border, expect to be assaulted by any number of persons offering cheap cigarettes and Viagra/Cialis. From here, you can travel as far as Kengtung (Thai Chiang Tung), 160 km away, but to travel to the rest of Myanmar, a visa in advance is needed. Transit travellers can arrange for a visa and can have their passport sent to their port of exit. Some local NGOs are worth visiting to see some of their humanitarian work.

Buy

There are plenty of small shops lining both sides of the street leading to the border crossing that sell:

 * Cheap jewels (rubies, emeralds and jade) imported from Myanmar
 * Cheap curio items, many of which are imported from China
 * Fresh cut fruit

Eat

 * Siri Cafe and Restaurant (Pa Yang Rd, about 1/2 km east of Phahonyottin rd) serves good quality Thai food in a sophisticated (for Mae Sai) garden setting. Not isn't cheap, but there isn't much competition.
 * Siri Cafe and Restaurant (Pa Yang Rd, about 1/2 km east of Phahonyottin rd) serves good quality Thai food in a sophisticated (for Mae Sai) garden setting. Not isn't cheap, but there isn't much competition.

Drink
There are several comfortable coffee shops on the main road leading to the immigration checkpoint.

Talk
As Mae Sai is a border town with many ethnic groups and nationalities, a wide variety of languages are spoken in the town. Besides Standard Thai and Northern Thai (Mueang or Lanna), Shan (Tai Yai) and Burmese are widely spoken in town. Yunnanese and Mandarin Chinese are usually spoken understood by shopkeepers, since many business owners in Mae Sai are ethnic Chinese. Hill tribe languages such as Akha, Lisu, and Palaung can also often be heard.

Go next
For long-distance buses, head to the Mae Sai bus terminal, about 5 km south of the Mae Sai town center. It can reached by songthaews (shared pickup trucks) regularly running between the bus terminal and the border every 15-30 minutes; the fare is 15 baht per person.

The Green Bus Company has buses to Chiang Rai and Chiang Mai every few hours. Ticket prices vary, and are usually around 200 baht. Many buses do not have restrooms.

Songthaews to many different places around Mae Sai District can be found in front of the Myanmar-Thailand bridge crossing.

 * On foot across the short bridge to Tachileik, Myanmar
 * By bus or car to Chiang Rai and beyond

title: Mae Sai


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Mae Salong

Mae Salong (แม่สลอง), also known as Doi Mae Salong (ดอยแม่สลอง) and officially called Santikhiri (สันติคีรี), is a village in Chiang Rai Province, Northern Thailand.

Understand
Mae Salong's early history centered on the opium trade of the Golden Triangle. Its recent history was shaped by the 93rd Division of the Chinese Nationalist Army that refused to surrender to Chinese communists after the Nationalist Kuomintang government was routed in 1949.

Unlike most of the unrelenting nationalists that fled to Taiwan in 1949, a force of 12,000 escaped from Yunnan to Burma and continued an insurgency against the People's Republic. They were at first supported by Taiwan and the USA, but diplomatic shifts—which included US ambivalence towards the nationalists and improved relations between Burma and communist China—later led to the partial disbanding of the nationalist forces in Burma. While thousands left for Thailand in 1961, many remained in Burma.

The soldiers who settled in Mae Salong kept it as a military base in preparation for an eventual counter-attack against communist China. They funded their arms purchases with opium production and rubbed shoulders with notorious Burmese warlord and drug baron Khun Sa, who lived a few kilometres away in Ban Hin Taek and who initially trained with the Kuomintang before founding his own army.

In the 1970s the Thai government struck a deal with the renegades: the battle-hardened soldiers would help them fight Thailand's own communist insurgents in exchange for legitimacy and Thai citizenship. Part of their going straight involved the soldiers' cessation of opium production in favour of the cultivation of mushrooms and above all oolong tea, which is now Mae Salong's main product.

Some guidebooks wax lyrical about today's Mae Salong as a miniature Yunnanese Shangri-La, but if you come with this image in mind you may be a little disappointed: at first glance, Mae Salong looks much like the little Thai town it is. However, the crisp climate, the lingering Chinese influence, delicious Yunnanese dishes and small hotels and guesthouses catering to visitors still make this a popular getaway, worth visiting even on a hurried day trip, but worth stopping in overnight.

Climate

In November, sunflowers bloom, but the peak tourist season is during Dec-Feb when the hills are alive with white plum blossoms and pinkish sakura cherry blossoms. It gets misty and cold during this time, so pack a sweater and decent shoes. Tea production gets into gear toward the end of this season, with the smell of roasting tea wafting through the streets, but the same haze and rising temperatures that affect the rest of northern Thailand are in evidence here too from March onward.

The rainy season is from June-October and is rainy indeed.

Talk
As most residents of Mae Salong are descended from Kuomintang soldiers who fled Yunnan, the Yunnan dialect of Mandarin is widely spoken here. However, virtually everybody speaks Thai as well

Get in
Mae Salong lies on the scenic and very twisty Hwy 1130 - pop a pill beforehand if you're prone to motion sickness.

From the east, access is from Pa Sang (not to be confused with villages of the same name further to the North), a hamlet north of Chiang Rai on Hwy 1 / AH2, which is Thailand's main road going from its capital Bangkok all the way to its northernmost settlement, Mae Sai, on the border to Myanmar.

In Mae Salong, the 1130 bends south and ends at the junction with Hwy 1089. This highways goes in southwesterly direction through Thaton, becomes Hwy 107 and reaches Chiang Mai after some. In the eastern direction, the 1089 ends after in Mae Chan (แม่จัน), where it hits the Hwy1,  north of Chiang Rai.

Public transport to Mae Salong is surprisingly spotty (especially after noon), and having your own wheels may come in handy.

By bus
From Chiang Rai: the bus terminal near the night market has the destination of buses written in Roman letters on the green platform indicators. Take a northbound bus towards Mae Sai or to Chiang Saen. After, these buses will leave the highway AH2 to pass through the small town of  (แม่จัน. 20-25 baht). Get off here, 120 m after the large roundabout.

You will see green songthaews which leave at the scheduled times of 07:30, 09:00, 11:00 and 13:00 for Mae Salong (60 baht, at least 60 min), arriving between the Guesthouses Shin Sane and Little Home. Sometimes, you will have to change vehicle at the half-way point Kiwsatai (20.10327 99.61750), count in some time for waiting around there. After 13:00 the songthaews might still be around, but you must negotiate departure time and price (8*60 baht corresponds to a "full" songthaew).

Blue songthaews hang around between 6:00 to 17:00 at the market (20.14947 99.85283), 120 m west of where you got off. They go to Mae Salong's 7-Eleven shop taking route 1130 (60 baht. 1 hour). They do not have scheduled departures, but leave when full. Unless you are willing to pay for the non-occupied of the 8 seats, it can be a long wait, especially off-season and after noon.

From Thaton (ท่าตอน), there are yellow songthaews that go directly to Mae Salong, but only four times a day.

For the return trip, there are four scheduled green songthaews (among them one at 11:00 and the last one at 15:30) and four yellow ones. Both of them share the same route down to Kiwsatai (20.10327 99.61750). Thus, if you want to go to Chiang Rai (south) or Mae Sai (north) you may take whatever comes first down to Kiwsatai (30 baht) and change there for Mae Chan (another 30 baht). from where you can continue by bus.

In a pinch (or if in a hurry), the motorcycle cabbies can ferry you to Pasang (on the Chiang Rai to Mae Sai Main Road, north of Mae Chan) for 300 baht.

By car
The shortest access is via Hwy 1089. Coming from the road's end on the Hwy 1, the signposted turn off is after 28,6 km next to a police station (7,5 before that, there is already a turn off leading to Mae Salong, but it's a bad road). From here travel about on some of the most amazingly curvy roads imaginable.

The return trip to Mae Chan can be undertaken on Rte 1234 and Rte 1130 which wind through Yao and Akha hill tribe villages; you can also make a diversion north to visit the royal development projects and villas of Doi Tung.

By taxi
You can also hire a car with a driver from a travel agency or even hail a taxi from the street. Price in high-season is around 1200 to 1600 baht from a travel agency (edited in 12/31/17). This can be a more straightforward alternative than dealing with local transport.

Get around
Mae Salong is quite spread out, and while you can cover the central sights on foot, it is very convenient to rent a motorbike to motor around the hills and valleys. Rental cost is about 200 baht per day. Bikes come with empty tanks, so you need to fuel up first.

See

Do
There are many tribal villages (mostly Akha) within easy reach of Mae Salong, and local guesthouses can arrange treks in the area, either on foot or by horse (400 baht for 4 hours).

For those who would prefer to get involved, consider joining the volunteers working in the nearby Akha village. There is no charge or donation required and you can work as little or as much as you like. The volunteers stay at Shin Sane Guesthouse, so ask about the project there or find it on Facebook by searching for "Akha Hill Tribe Project - Mae Salong."

Buy

The thing to buy in Mae Salong is the excellent local oolong tea, grown on plantations all around. The tea bushes here was originally imported from Taiwan, well-known for its high mountain (gaoshan) teas grown in a very similar subtropical climate. As well as tea itself, tea sets from China as well as candies, fruits, and everything else you'd need for enjoying tea Chinese-style are also available.

For Akha handicrafts, Yunnanese street snacks and cheap Chinese imports, check out the two markets in town.

Eat
Take a break from Thai food and try out some Yunnanese cuisine. Dishes worth trying include:
 * Yunnan noodles with dumplins
 * Papa cake, baked glutinous rice with sweet or sour sesame fillings, outside the Morning Market
 * Hot soy milk with deep fried dough sticks (油条 yóu tiáo) at the Morning Market
 * Bamboo worm for the brave. Deep fried and dried, it tastes like crispy biscuit.

Budget
There are a large number of noodle shops around town.

Drink
Aside from a few dodgy karaoke enterprises, there is virtually no nightlife in Mae Salong. Drink tea instead! Or, if you're feeling frisky, sample any of the numerous Chinese liquors with unfortunate pickled bugs and snakes inside.

Sleep
Outside peak season supply tends to exceed demand and prices are usually negotiable.

Stay safe
Any opium warlord action has long since moved across the border to Myanmar. Still, this is a border area, so don't go trekking too close to the boundary and keep your papers with you as there are plenty of police checkpoints around.

Go next

 * Doi Tung — royal development projects just to the north of Mae Salong
 * Mae Sai — gateway to Myanmar
 * Thaton — rafting on the Kok River
 * Ban Rak Thai — another Kuomintang village

title: Mae Salong


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Mae Sariang

Mae Sariang is a town in Mae Hong Son Province, Northern Thailand. Near the Myanmar border, the town is slowly becoming popular with those wanting to escape the crowds of Pai and Chiang Mai. The town lies due south of Mae Hong Son on Rte 108.

By bus
There are 5 mini-vans a day from Chiang Mai departing from the Arcade Bus Station at 09:00, 10:00, 12:00, 14:00, 17:00. Journey time is approximately 3.5 hr and tickets cost 200 baht.

You can book minivan tickets only 3 days in advance of travel. The telephone numbers for the mini-van company are 90 514 1111 and 82 390 0189 (only Thai-speaking, no English); you can also book online (see further). You can book tickets on the phone, but you must pay and collect the tickets at least 1 hr before departure time. You can do this either: - at the bus station or - any 7-Eleven store (they are all over Chiang Mai). In which case you need to tell them at the time of booking on the phone, and they will SMS you a booking code (so you'll need a Thai mobile number). At 7-Eleven show the code, pay and collect your tickets (15-baht service fee, so 215 baht total). You must do this at least 1 hr before the mini-van departs

The company running the buses is name Prempracha Company, and you can book online here. Booking online doesn't give you a 7-Eleven number and you have to pay 1 hour before the minivan arrives, in cash.

Public buses also run from Mae Hong Son to Mae Sariang on Rte 108 (4 hr, 150 baht).

From Mae Sot there are regular orange songthaews that departs from the bus station, 5-6 hr. 200 baht.

By car
Coming from Mae Sot (south) follow Rte 105 north. It's about a 240 km drive. There are no "normal" gas stations on the way. So fill up the tank before you leave Mae Sot. Or if you're low on fuel, drive into one of the villages on the way and ask for a shop where they offer fuel by hand pump. The road is pretty good, though at some parts there are a few bumps and holes (probably due to the heavy rains in the wet season).

Coming from Chiang Mai take Rte 108 southwest. The distance is about 195 km or 2.5 hours.

Get around
Mae Sariang is not very big, so you can easily get around walking or renting a bicycle (50 baht/day) from one of the local guesthouses. Motorbikes are available for around 200 baht a day as well.

For longer journeys out of the town, you may want to hire a car and driver. Ask any of the local guesthouses and they will be able to arrange this for you

See
Mae Sariang, beyond offering visitors areas of exceptional natural beauty and insights into traditional tribal ways of life, has some notable ancient holy sites where tourists are welcome to join the locals in paying their respects for good fortune and prosperity. These sites are together called the Phra That Sii Chom (the "Four Chom" reliquaries)

Drink
Everywhere worth drinking is along the river. Sawadee is the place if you like Beerlao (who doesn't?). Northwest Guesthouse also has a lovely bar.

Go next

 * Bangkok
 * Chiang Mai
 * Mae Hong Son
 * Mae Sot
 * Pai

title: Mae Sariang


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Mae Sot

Mae Sot (แม่สอด) is in Tak Province, Thailand at an elevation of around 210 m. It is a trade hub and has a substantial population of Burmese migrants and refugees. It is the main gateway by land between Thailand and Myanmar because of the Friendship Bridge connecting Mae Sot to Myawaddy in Myanmar.

Understand
The Friendship Bridge is part of the Trilateral Highway, aka Asian Superhighway, that is being built to connect Moreh, India and Mae Sot, passing by Mandalay. It has gained notoriety for its trade in gems and teak, as well as black market services such as people trafficking and drugs.

The city is part of Tak Province, 87 km from the city of Tak and 492 km from Bangkok. It is home to the district headquarters of Mae Sot District.

By bus
There are two bus stations in Mae Sot: just south of the market with lower frequency, and, the main hub. From the western bus station there are motor bikes and tuk tuk taxis. It is best to have a map and your destination on it. The typical fare for a shared ride into town and guest houses is not more than 20 baht - negotiate prior to embarking. For direct taxis the fare can be between 50 and 100 baht. Or you can walk the 2.5 km.

Tak
Access from Tak is 86 km along Hwy 105 via Doi Musoe (870 m) and Doi Son (784 m). Tak is on the regular bus route between Chiang Mai and Bangkok.

Frequent mini buses connect Mae Sot directly with Tak bus station, starting at 05:30 and ending around 19:00, and should depart every 30 minutes from the southern end of Burmese market. However those that are already full can be expected to leave early, and those that are not will probably go late. The journey takes about 90 minutes and costs around 78 baht/person. The surcharge for putting a bicycle on the roof rack is 50 baht.

Bangkok
The travel time between Mae Sot and Bangkok is about 7-8 hr. There are buses in the early morning and late evening (20:00, 21:00, 22:00) from Mo Chit Bus Station in Bangkok - but arrive at least 2 hr before your intended journey if have not booked ahead. A single ticket for the VIP buses cost approximately 613 baht per person. Try to get a spot on the top level of the VIP bus away from the toilets at the bottom level. There are also cheaper 1st and 2nd class buses, 382 baht and 306 baht respectively. Towards Bangkok the buses leave Mae Sot early in the morning and throughout the evening (18:00, 19:00, 20:00, 21:00).

From Bangkok you will most likely arrive at the western bus station, but you can try to get off when the bus passes the city centre. Most buses from the city bus station towards Bangkok will also stop at the western bus station.

Chiang Mai
Green Buses from Chiang Mai to Mae Sot depart daily at 08:30 and 13:10 (1st class).

Sukhothai
Minivans from Sukhothai Bus Station leave 09:15, 10:15,14:15 & 16:15 (3 hr travel time).

Myanmar
You can walk across the directly from Myawaddy to Mae Sot. The bridge is 700 m long and the walk takes 10 min or so, but is completely exposed to the elements (no shelter/shade). You pass through immigration on the Burmese side, then again to enter Thailand where free visa-on-arrival (valid for 30 days) is available for many nationalities. Both sides of the bridge have "foreigner" booths which generally provide a fast service versus the crowds of locals crossing back and forth. Remember to have an address of your destined stay promptly available, as the Thai immigration staff may be a bit less nicer than the Burmese one demanding this information.

Buses leave twice daily from Yangon to Myawaddy directly, morning and evening, with several different companies to choose from. 9,000-15,000 kyat, often including transfer from Yangon city to the appropriate bus terminal. Depending on the departure they may be arrive to late to cross the border in time, so check ahead.

Buses (5,000 kyat) and various shared taxis (10,000 kyat) also go directly from Hpa-An and Mawlamyine throughout the day. Nobody wants to buy Myanmar kyat in Thailand, so best to exchange or spend all of it before you cross the border into Thailand.

Once arriving on the Thai side, you can catch a Songthaew to town for 20 baht, motorcycle taxi for 60 baht or attempt to hitchhike, which is generally fairly easy as all traffic is passing alongside Mae Sot, and often includes large pickups and trucks.

However, you may even cross back to Myanmar on the same day.

Get around
Getting around town can be done on foot. If you are planning to explore the surrounding area, bicycles and motorbikes can be rented at many guest houses for approximately 50 and 150 baht per day respectively. A helmet is supplied as the police fine people not wearing one. You have to leave your passport for bond and fill up with petrol when you return it. Cars and 4-wheel drives can be hired from several places around town (e.g., Well Driving, close to Casa Mia).

Taxis come in the form of motorbike or tuk-tuk, usually found near the Burmese market and outside Tesco. The drivers have special licence number jackets. Prices depend on distance, number of passengers and your negotiation skills, but as a rough guide, 50-100 baht for most places around the town.

Around the city (sorted by distance)

Songthaews travel frequently north (Hwy 105) and south (Hwy 1090) in case you don't wanna rent a scooter or bicycle. They leave from the market or you can flag them down on route, but beware they are bone shakers and sometimes very full.

Do

 * The most recommended Thai massages are the one on the grounds of Mae Sot Hospital, rear entrance, and the one on the Asian Highway on the left towards the river, just past the traffic lights to Mae Ramat.
 * The most recommended Thai massages are the one on the grounds of Mae Sot Hospital, rear entrance, and the one on the Asian Highway on the left towards the river, just past the traffic lights to Mae Ramat.
 * The most recommended Thai massages are the one on the grounds of Mae Sot Hospital, rear entrance, and the one on the Asian Highway on the left towards the river, just past the traffic lights to Mae Ramat.

Buy

 * The main market is a great place to purchase some Burmese goods. Wandering around it is easy to see the ethnic diversity in Mae Sot. It is also a fantastic place to buy great fresh, often live, food.
 * There are many gem stone and jewellery shops offering good bargains. Most of the trade is for wholesale however. As with anywhere in Thailand, although many sellers are reputable, be wary that if you look European, low quality stones might be sold for high prices. Do some research before you buy.
 * For locally made ethnic handicrafts, fair trade/social enterprise, goods try the Weave & Borderline shops, which are almost opposite each other on Inthrakiree Road heading into town from the west. Borderline also has an artist's gallery, a coffee shop, and free WiFi out the back.
 * There are a couple of trekking/tour companies operating out of Mae Sot, with jungle trips, elephant rides and white water rafting. SP Kitchen on Asia Highway is one option, Bai Fern in the centre on Inthrakiree Road is another. Some routes are seasonal and cannot be accessed at the height of the rainy season, May-Oct.
 * There are a couple of trekking/tour companies operating out of Mae Sot, with jungle trips, elephant rides and white water rafting. SP Kitchen on Asia Highway is one option, Bai Fern in the centre on Inthrakiree Road is another. Some routes are seasonal and cannot be accessed at the height of the rainy season, May-Oct.

Eat
Your best bet would be to walk around and choose the place that looks most promising.

 * A bit past the mosque the road splits, and on the right fork at the end of the 1st block is a wonderful fried chicken take-away.
 * Two steak houses are on Asia Hwy. One is named "Cowboy & Indian" (note "Cowboy & Indian" burned down in 2015 but is being rebuilt). The other is a bit further east and has a bright yellow sign.
 * The Night Market is terrific for late diners as the open air shops stay open quite late. All Thai food with English menus.
 * A bit past the mosque the road splits, and on the right fork at the end of the 1st block is a wonderful fried chicken take-away.
 * Two steak houses are on Asia Hwy. One is named "Cowboy & Indian" (note "Cowboy & Indian" burned down in 2015 but is being rebuilt). The other is a bit further east and has a bright yellow sign.
 * The Night Market is terrific for late diners as the open air shops stay open quite late. All Thai food with English menus.
 * A bit past the mosque the road splits, and on the right fork at the end of the 1st block is a wonderful fried chicken take-away.
 * Two steak houses are on Asia Hwy. One is named "Cowboy & Indian" (note "Cowboy & Indian" burned down in 2015 but is being rebuilt). The other is a bit further east and has a bright yellow sign.
 * The Night Market is terrific for late diners as the open air shops stay open quite late. All Thai food with English menus.
 * A bit past the mosque the road splits, and on the right fork at the end of the 1st block is a wonderful fried chicken take-away.
 * Two steak houses are on Asia Hwy. One is named "Cowboy & Indian" (note "Cowboy & Indian" burned down in 2015 but is being rebuilt). The other is a bit further east and has a bright yellow sign.
 * The Night Market is terrific for late diners as the open air shops stay open quite late. All Thai food with English menus.
 * A bit past the mosque the road splits, and on the right fork at the end of the 1st block is a wonderful fried chicken take-away.
 * Two steak houses are on Asia Hwy. One is named "Cowboy & Indian" (note "Cowboy & Indian" burned down in 2015 but is being rebuilt). The other is a bit further east and has a bright yellow sign.
 * The Night Market is terrific for late diners as the open air shops stay open quite late. All Thai food with English menus.
 * The Night Market is terrific for late diners as the open air shops stay open quite late. All Thai food with English menus.

Go next
Remember, there are two bus stations in Mae Sot, so be sure you know which station your bus departs from.

Around Mae Sot
Another way to leave Mae Sot is to catch the minibus to Tak to connect to onward buses. These leave throughout the day around every 40 min from the old market area which is over the bridge from Green Guesthouse. The trip to Tak takes around 1½ hr and costs 78 baht.

Songthaews travel frequently to Mae Sariang (north) and Umphang (south). They leave from the market or you can flag them down on route, but beware they are bone shakers and sometimes very full.

Further east of Umphang lies Khlong Lan National Park. The park covers around 300 km2 with its highest point at 1440-m-high Khun Klong Lan. Wildlife includes sambar deer, wild pig and macaques. There are also a number of waterfalls, including the Khlong Lan Waterfall which cascades over a 100-m-high rock face. The Khlong Nam Lai Waterfall is good for swimming.

North
In addition to the Mae Sot to Mo Chit (Bangkok) route, buses also travel directly to Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai. Departure times from Mae Sot are 06:00 and 08:00 from the main bus terminal. Tickets can usually be purchased without problems at the station on the morning of departure and are 250-350 baht or 350-500 baht, respectively, depending on the service class. Ask your guesthouse to arrange an early morning tuk-tuk to the station. The ticket booth opens at 05:30. The Green Bus, direct to Chiang Mai, has moved its ticket office to a building on the Asia Hwy just to the west of Hwy 105 North. Total travel time to Chiang Mai is about 6 hr and Chiang Rai about 9 hr.

Along the Myanmar border Mae Hong Son is another destination north of Mae Sot.

South
One bus line serves Laem Ngop, (Ko Chang), and Mukdahan daily. The company that runs this service is Phetprasert. The Laem Ngop bus travels south towards Bangkok, veering east before entering the city, and then travelling along the coast via Chonburi and Rayong. The travel time from Mae Sot to the ferry departure point for Ko Chang is around 16 hr and the ticket costs 750 baht. The Mukdahan bus makes station-only stops, including Sukhothai, Phitsanulok and Khon Kaen. The company claims that total journey time is 12-14 hr.

East
Famous for its ruins is the ancient city Sukhothai, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is about 170 km away from Mae Sot. As of June 2019 there's no direct connection to Sukhothai. However, you can take a minivan or minibus from the small bus station south of the market to Tak (78 baht). From Tak there are frequent bus connections to Sukhothai (56 Baht). Both journeys combined take around 3 hr.

Myanmar
Songthaews to the friendship bridge leave frequently from the far side of the Burmese market. Locals should be able to point you in the right direction. They depart throughout the day, but only when full, so wait times may be up to an hour. Best to go fairly early morning, when the locals do. 20 baht per person, and be prepared to squeeze in. Motorcycle taxis cost 60 baht.

Be aware that there is no visa on arrival available in Myanmar, so you will need to have obtained a visa previously. The E-Visa is also accepted at this land border. After passing through customs in Thailand, you can walk across the bridge (10-15 min) and stroll into customs on the Myanmar side. Both customs offices have booths for foreigners, speeding up the process. From Myawaddy it is easy to catch onward transport into Myanmar (Hpa-An and Mawlamyine), although generally easier earlier in the morning before the border opens at 06:00 Thai expats; remember to obtain your Thai re-entry visa before crossing.

title: Mae Sot


text:
Mafia Island

Mafia Island off the coast of Tanzania must be one of the Indian Ocean's best hidden gems.

Understand
With white sandy beaches, dazzling aquamarine waters and refreshingly few tourists, Mafia is often described as Zanzibar 30 years ago: a laid-back eco-alternative with no tarmac roads, few hotels, no shops, no ATMs (credit cards are accepted at the up-market lodges) which is not geared for mainstream tourism. But be warned, if you want fancy shops and a wild night-life, Mafia isn’t for you!

There are six lodges on Mafia, five (Chole Mjini, Kinasi Lodge, Mafia, Pole Pole and Shamba Kilole) clustered closely together within Chole Bay and one, the Ras Mbisi Lodge, on the western side of the island. There is a handful of backpacker ‘hotels’ in Kilindoni, the main town (the port and airstrip are here).

Hopefully Mafia Island will not become the ‘next destination’ but remain an eco-friendly niche. There are about 3,000 to 4,000 over-night stays annually on the island.

Whale sharks and humpback whales can be found in the waters surrounding Mafia Island, as can turtles and reportedly dugongs.

Get in
There are two airlines with regular service from Dar es Salam to Mafia's Kilindoni airport and flights take about 30 minutes.

 * Coastal Aviation - operates two daily flights from Dar es Salam and one "on-demand" from Kilwa, their largest plane is a 13-seated Cessna, flights cost USD110/person.
 * Tropical Air - based in Zanzibar, flights to Mafia originate in Dar es Salaam.

Get around
There are only a few offroad cars owned by the resorts or lodge. You can hire a rickety Land Rover with driver near the market in the center of Kilindoni. It can be really fun to wander about walking and get a bit lost along the main street where you will meet all the locals working, interacting, bicycling, playing, etc. If you are more adventurous you can rent a bike from the place you are staying. The price should be USD8-15/day.

The most fun activity is to take a typical sailing boat (dhow) which also serve as the local bus. They have a wonderful structure, are made of wood and usually full of residents with dresses and pots of different bright colors. Almost all diving centers and lodges will also offer excursions around the Island.

Do
Diving, snorkeling. Some resorts and lodge have dive centers. The only independent one is The Big Blu.

Eat
Almost all resorts and lodges have their own restaurant and usually the prices are full board, so tourists rarely go around to find different places.

Drink
You can find whatever you want but if you look for something typical in Tanzania you can drink the coconut water (madafu) made from real coconuts, the soda called Stoney Tangawizi (with ginger taste) and some Tanzanian good beers such as Kilimanjaro. You can also find wines from South Africa.

Sleep

Go next
Mange is an atoll on the far western edge of the archipelago and lying in the Mafia Channel. It is a stunning place with a sand island – cay – exposed at low tide and an excellent coral reef for snorkelling and good diving on the deeper channel side.

This is a full-day excursion on the dhow “Papara” with picnic lunch and barbecued fish on the beach. A sun shade canopy is erected to protect travelers and cold drinks are included, which is very useful in the hot environment and on the homeward journey when sundowners are "mandatory".

title: Mafia Island


text:
Mafra

Mafra is a city of 77,000 people (2011) in Greater Lisbon, Estremadura, Portugal. It is mostly known for the sumptuous Mafra National Palace, which is a. Other points of interest around the municipality include the Tapada Nacional de Mafra, an enclosed wildlife and game reserve, and Ericeira's World Surf Reserve, the second in the world.

Understand

Mafra (MAH-fruh, /ˈma.fɾɐ/) is mainly rural with some tourist activity centred in the town and especially in the seaside town of Ericeira, which has become a key destination for national and international surfers. Since the completion of the A8 motorway, linking the eastern part of the municipality to the centre of Lisbon, commuter population has increased substantially.

Climate
The climate of Mafra, under strong oceanic influence, is moderately rainy. In general, it has mild minimum temperatures during the coldest months and a cool and windy summer during which there is a tendency for fog formation. The annual average temperature is around.

It has a wet season (October to March) and a dry season (April to September). Humidity remains high throughout the year, but especially during summer and along the coast. The annual value of relative humidity in the municipality is around 80%.

In the metropolitan area, the north-west winds predominate, coming from the coastal zone and which carry with it, throughout the year, moist air, which causes morning fogs.

By bus
From Lisbon, you can take coach services operated by Mafrense which depart from Campo Grande bus terminus. The journey lasts just over one hour and a single ticket costs €4.35 (pay the driver with cash, no return tickets are available).

By car

 * Coming from Lisbon, go by the A8, the N8 or the EN9
 * Coming from Sintra, take join the EN9
 * Coming from Ericeira, take the A21 or the EN116

By train
The rail network, served by the Linha do Oeste (Western Line), with stations in Mafra (Mafra-Gare) and Malveira, as well as flag-stops in Alcainça–Moinhos and Jeromelo, providing interurban and regional passenger and cargo services (the latter being primarily handled from the Malveira).

See
The Tourist Office has further information on most tourist sights.

Do

 * Football: CD Mafra play soccer in Liga Portugal 2, the second tier. Their home ground Estádio Municipal (capacity 1250) is west side of town.
 * Football: CD Mafra play soccer in Liga Portugal 2, the second tier. Their home ground Estádio Municipal (capacity 1250) is west side of town.
 * Football: CD Mafra play soccer in Liga Portugal 2, the second tier. Their home ground Estádio Municipal (capacity 1250) is west side of town.
 * Football: CD Mafra play soccer in Liga Portugal 2, the second tier. Their home ground Estádio Municipal (capacity 1250) is west side of town.

Eat
Mafra is known for its famous bread ("Pão de Mafra"). Give it a try at a local bakery.

Try also a special cake from the town known as "Fradinhos". There's a bakery called precisely "Fradinho" that sells this delicious treat.

Also try Polo Norte for more pastries.

Drink
There's not much nightlife in Mafra, but there's a nice place where you can have a nice cup of coffee. The name is "Café da Vila" and you can find it right next to the palace, near a garden with three soldiers.

title: Mafra


text:
Magadan

Magadan  (Russian: Магада́н, mah-gah-DAHN) is the capital of Russia's Magadan Oblast, with a population of about 92 000 residents.

Understand
Magadan is one of the few ports in this remote part of Russia, kept open over winter by resident icebreakers. The town is quite isolated - there is no railway, and the only road out of town is impassable in summer to all but the most hardy of off-road vehicles.

History
The city was founded in 1930 and named after the river with the same name. During Stalin's reign, the isolated settlement gained importance as transit centre for prisoners sent to gulags. Prisoners were coerced into forced labour, most of them in construction projects such as the infamous Road of Bones, and in the Dalstroy gold mining operations. It grew into a shipping hub for the export of gold and precious metals mined in the Kolyma region, expanding quickly with revenue from exported gold.

By plane
Magadan has an airport with regular flights to Moscow. The airport is in the town of Sokol, some along the Road of Bones, and as at July 2011 it was refreshingly free of rip-offs. Unusually for an airport, it has a fishmonger's counter offering fish and shellfish. Bus 111 connects with town centre every 45 minutes during daytime (₽55, 70 min).

Yakutia Air Company:
 * Magadan to Moscow Vnukovo Intl via Novosibirsk on Wednesdays.
 * Magadan to Yakutsk on Wednesday (and via Khabarovsk most other days).
 * Magadan to Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky on Tuesday (fortnightly in off-season) - expensive flight on Antonov 24, but much cheaper/quicker than going via Vladivostok or Khabarovsk.

By car
There is a road connecting Magadan with Yakutsk and rest of Russia, the M56 Kolyma highway. Its discouraging nickname Road of Bones gives a clue to its construction by slave labour in the 1930s. This route passes through extremely remote areas; although improvements have been made, it is still not recommended to travel the road without serious consulting and preparation.

By bus
All regional buses departs and arrives at the central bus station located at the corner of pr. Lenina and ul. Proletarskaya. Most villages and towns has daily connections. There's no public transport that traverses the whole journey from Yakutsk on the Kolyma Highway but there's a service from the gold mining town Susuman which lies about 1/3 on the route. There are plenty advertisements of illegal buses to/from Yakutsk, but the journey is quite long.

By boat
There are no passenger ferries to Magadan but SASCO runs regular cargo shippings from Vladivostok that can accommodate passengers. Knowledge of Russian is essential for inquiries.

Get around
The only passenger transport are marshrutkas which cover all the city.

Do

 * Climb Marchekanskaya sopka for great views.
 * If you come in winter, you should definitely walk on the ice of the sea - it is a rare experience.
 * Climb Marchekanskaya sopka for great views.
 * If you come in winter, you should definitely walk on the ice of the sea - it is a rare experience.

Buy
There is a relatively plentiful supply of Mammoth Tusks unearthed in the area, and these are made into interesting carvings which can be bought in souvenir shops - but cheaper at the workshop, if you can find it. Price of raw Mammoth Tusk was approx USD600/kg as at July 2011.

Some souvenir shops at the airport and in town sell T-shirts and postcards of a convict against a background of a prison camp holding a sign "Welcome to Kolyma" — locals say this is a reference to a disrespectful Russian movie, and prefer that tourists do not buy them.

Drink
Okean Hotel - has an interesting pole-dancing bar, admission ₽200-250, beers ₽150, definitely worth a visit if this is your thing, or even if this is your first experience. Ladies welcome, very non-threatening.

Go next

 * Yakutsk (see Get in)

title: Magadan


text:
Magadan Oblast

Magadan Oblast (Russian: Магада́нская о́бласть, mah-gah-DAHN-skuh-yuh OH-blust’) is a region in Russian Far East. It borders Chukotka and Kamchatka in the northeast, Khabarovsk Krai in the southwest, and Yakutia in the west and north.

Cities

 * — the region's capital and largest city by far
 * — abandoned coal mining city on the road to Yakutsk
 * — another city on the road to Yakutsk, which has what as close as it can get to tourism infrastructure in this lonely patch of taiga
 * — mining town close to a lake with some of the best fishing in whole Russian Far East
 * — mining town close to a lake with some of the best fishing in whole Russian Far East
 * — mining town close to a lake with some of the best fishing in whole Russian Far East

Other destinations

 * — just outside Magadan, offers skiing (alpine & crosscountry) and snowmobiling
 * — just outside Magadan, offers skiing (alpine & crosscountry) and snowmobiling

Understand
Magadan Oblast is a region rich in minerals and human suffering. The areas now known as Magadan Oblast and Chukotka were home to the Kolyma Gulag, a network of work-camps the size of France where approximately 500,000-1,000,000 men, women, and children died as a result of overwork, malnutrition, the cold, and human brutality. Anyone interested in the Kolyma gulags, or just more generally in human nature and great literature, should read Varlam Shalamov's Kolyma Tales.

Talk
Russian is likely the only language you will encounter here.

Get in
Magadan Oblast is impressively remote and it is definitely advisable to fly to Magadan, likely from Moscow or much closer Khabarovsk and Vladivostok.

There is no railway connecting to Magadan Oblast and there is only one road, the Kolyma Highway, leading from the west, from Yakutsk. This road dirt or gravel for most of its length, is just over 2025 km long and crosses 3 mountain ranges. As of 2008, the all-season connection from Kyubyume to Ust-Nera was completed, meaning that the road is now passable by 2-wheel drive cars, though few would then be capable of the return trip. When the ice breaks during April and freezes during September river crossings at Yakutsk and Khandyga are only available by helicopter. With the exception of a few mining towns, long sections of the road are uninhabited, and most towns have no police presence. In particular, the 500 km section between Yagodnoye and the outlying settlements of Magadan is home to fewer than 4000 people.

Get around
Most traffic on the Kolyma Highway is mining trucks or trucks carrying building materials to and from Magadan. Hiring a taxi or jeep and driver costs about US$100/day.

See

 * Dneprovsky Mine — the best preserved gulag site
 * The Mask of Sorrow (in Magadan) is both a memorial to the victims of Kolyma and an inspired sculpture.

Do

 * Skiing/snowboarding.
 * Rafting.
 * Diving under the ice 40 m down.
 * Motorbiking.
 * Snowmobiling to the lake Mak Mak.
 * Sailing to the bays, 1–8 days tours.
 * DVS-Tour offers tours of the region focused on historical guidance to the gulag network and also some city sight-seeing. English or German-speaking guide is provided. Magadan, 685000/ 3 Lenin St, office 450, Tel.:(413-22)2-32-96, fax.:(413-22)2-11-95, E-mail: travel@dvs-tour.ru
 * Magtur. Rafting on the rivers Ola, Yama, Kolyma . Trip longevity—8 days. Mototour Golden ring of Kolyma English-speaking guide is provided. Rest base Magtur ₽1200-1000 for a couple of days on the Sea of Okhotsk shore. office #216, 13, Parkovaya st.,  Tel: +7 4132 622907, Fax: +7 4132 699745, E-mail: magtur@maglan.ru

Go next
Getting out of Magadan Oblast is best done by plane, but it is possible to venture down the Kolyma Highway, a long, lonely road into Yakutia as far as Yakutsk. This route is only really passable in the winter months of November–March and summer June–August, though traffic exists on some sections nearly all year round.

title: Magadan Oblast


text:
Magadha

Magadha is the southern region of Bihar in India.

Cities

 * — a small town atop a craggy rock

 * — site of the Buddha Sakyamuni's enlightenment

 * — a major pilgrimage city and a ritual place famous for Pind daan

 * — the capital of Bihar

 * — a census town

 * — meaning the abode of Kings

 * — small hamlet famous as a health resort

Other destinations

 * — ruins of an ancient university
 * — the oldest surviving rock-cut caves in India

Get in

 * Patna Airport, Jay Prakash Narayan Airport
 * Gaya Airport

Do
Chhath Puja is the biggest festival at the western parts of Magadha. It usually takes place from late October to early November. Chhath involves worshipping and thanking the sun god Surya for bestowing the riches of life on Earth.

title: Magadha


text:
Magalawa Island

Magalawa is one of the 19th barangay in the municipality of Palauig, Province of Zambales, Philippines.

Understand
According to the latest census, it has a population of 370 people in 71 households.

In the early century, Magalawa was apart of Sitio Luan, Barangay Lipay. The said sitio was bisected by a small body of water fordable by people wherein the current flows southeast during high tide and northward during low tide. The current that runs in this area is about 2-3 knots. In that situation erosion made this body of water wider and wider, which later on became a sea. This came when this part of the land was isolated far from Sitio Luan, so the inhabitants called in their native word "mag-luwa" that means "about two places". This word passed through generation to generation and was later changed to "Magalawa".

Magalawa is an island lying 6 km northwest of Poblacion. Surrounding the island is the China Sea. Beyond the north is the San Salvador Island of Masinloc and on the east is Sitio Luan, Lipay. It is known for beautiful beaches. Magalawa is 56 hectares in area.

Although the island is surrounded by the sea potable water is abundant on the island. The main source of livelihood is fishing and some are engaged in shell craft industry. There is a primary school with two teachers. No rice is planted in this area, so people resort to buying everything they need except fish. Coco trees and century trees are abundant.

Magalawa Island is now one of the newest tourist destination in Zambales. An eco-tourism resort, Magalawa Island Armada Resort, a privately owned resort, has been developed since 2009 and now continually on its rise with its back to basic and nature trip settings. To generate livelihood to the island community, management of the Armada Resort have come up with packages which include meals, snorkeling, rafting, boat riding, mangrove trekking. These helps the community in providing livelihood and help generate income for its barangay and municipality.

Sleep
Magalawa Island Armada Resort - with its creamy white sand beaches and pristine waters Magalawa Island is perfect for swimming, water/sand sports, boat riding, jet skiing, scuba diving, snorkelling or just relaxing on the beach amid the crystal clear waters and white sand. Another attractions of Magalawa Island are coral reefs, mangroves and abundant water resources.

title: Magalawa Island


text:
Magaluf

Magaluf is a major holiday resort on Majorca especially popular with British, Russian and Scandinavian package holidayers. The resort is well-known as a stag-weekend and package-holiday destination for visitors looking for sun, sea and a wild nightlife.

Magaluf features often in the British press, especially because of the binge drinking culture that thrives amongst the young Britons visiting the resort. However major hotel chains and the local council are taking Magaluf more upmarket: more mature visitors and families are returning to the resort. In late 2020, the government indicated its intent to close permanently the streets where excess alcohol and anti-social behaviour "put people’s health and safety at large in danger".

Get in
Palma's city airport is the major airport in Mallorca, and has daily flights from many European cities on national and budget carriers. The airport is roughly 20 minutes by car, a taxi costs roughly €30 and many tour operators arrange transfers from the airport.

There are frequent buses from Palma de Mallorca, operated by TIB. Journey time is about 35 minutes.

Eat
Magaluf has many restaurants with British food and fast food and is mainly budget-orientated rather than quality. There is only a small selection of local food on offer.

Drink
Nightlife is the main (and for many visitors only) reason for coming to Magaluf. There are bars scattered throughout the resort, but the main area of nightlife is focused in two areas, both walking distance apart. The busy main strip runs parallel to the beach and has a large number of bars and small nightclubs, filled with revellers hopping from one bar to the next. BCM square, next to the BCM superclub, offers further theme bars and more outside seating.

Expect to hear a similarly cheesy trance hits in most places you go; the Magaluf scene is much more focused on sex and drink, and less on the music than on other Balearic islands such as Ibiza. On the other hand, BCM is large enough to attract big-name DJs and drink prices everywhere are much cheaper.

Unlike some similar resorts, touting in Magaluf is banned although if you're travelling in a group you're still likely to be offered drinks promotions to entice you into bars as you walk past.

Sleep

 * As a purpose built resort, Magaluf has an extensive choice of places to say, though much of the budget accommodation is in poor condition.

 * Hotel Flamboyant is on the headland at C Martín Ros García 16.
 * Hotel Florida is further along the headland at C Torrenova 33.
 * Cook's Club is an inexpensive place at C Pineda near the headland.
 * Zafiro Palace has swim-up suites. It's at Av de Cas Saboners 24, 200 m southwest of Globales Panama.
 * HSM Don Juan is next to HSM Atlantic at C Calderón 4.
 * HM Martinique Apartments are next to HSM Atlantic Park at C Tirso de Molina 1.
 * Zafiro Palace has swim-up suites. It's at Av de Cas Saboners 24, 200 m southwest of Globales Panama.
 * HSM Don Juan is next to HSM Atlantic at C Calderón 4.
 * HM Martinique Apartments are next to HSM Atlantic Park at C Tirso de Molina 1.
 * HSM Don Juan is next to HSM Atlantic at C Calderón 4.
 * HM Martinique Apartments are next to HSM Atlantic Park at C Tirso de Molina 1.
 * HSM Don Juan is next to HSM Atlantic at C Calderón 4.
 * HM Martinique Apartments are next to HSM Atlantic Park at C Tirso de Molina 1.

Stay safe
Despite the image often portrayed in the media, Magaluf is a safe holiday resort. However, you should still be aware of the usual risks such as pickpocketing. Also, drinks in some bars and clubs tend to be mixed fairly strong and there have been known cases of cheap alcohol being used in mixes, which can cause a more serious hangover than their brand name counterparts.

At night the main strip can get very full, especially at the weekend.

title: Magaluf


text:
Magburaka

Magburaka is a city in Sierra Leone.

Magburaka is the former capital of the north of Sierra Leone. Makeni became the new capital during the war. Magburaka was a stop on the Bauya - Makeni branch of the now defunct Sierra Leone Railway. Some of the old buildings can still be seen. From 2011, there has been a major programme of reconstruction. Roads which were dirt throughout the town have been repaired and resurfaced with asphalt.

Get in
The main road from Makeni is new and in excellent condition, as are most roads in the town itself.

Connect
Western style commercial radio station, Capital Radio, can be heard on 103.3MHz.

Go next
Magburaka is just south of the road which links Makeni to the diamond mining Kono district. There is also a road going south east to Bo.

title: Magburaka


text:
Magdalena

Magdalena  is a town of 800 people (2020) in southwestern New Mexico. It is the nearest town (at least the nearest with many services for the traveler) to the Very Large Array, an enormous radio astronomy observatory of interest to the scientifically-inclined traveler, and is a jumping-off point for some outdoor recreational opportunities in the region.

By car
Magdalena is on US 60 west of the larger town of Socorro.

By plane
The nearest significant airport is in Albuquerque about 70 miles north of Socorro.

See
There's not much to see in town, but it has become a modest center for folk art and antiques. Try the following galleries and see if there's anything that interests you:

title: Magdalena


text:
Magdalena Department

Magdalena is a small department on the North Coast of Colombia.

Cities

 * – hometown of Gabriel García Márquez, a must visit for fans of his work, and a pleasant respite from the big coastal destinations.
 * – second largest city in Magdalena, site of the Banana Massacre in 1928.
 * – a small town of five hundred inhabitants, nestled in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta and lost in the lush vegetation.
 * – one of Colombia's biggest tourist destinations, a hub for adventure tourism, and home to colonial architecture and white sand beaches.
 * – a backpacker and hippie haven in a one-time peaceful little fishing village just north of Santa Marta.

Other destinations

 * – the "Lost City" of the highly advanced Tayrona civilization, an arduous and legendary 5-6 day trek through the dense jungle of the Sierra Madre mountains
 * – a tropical unspoilt beach paradise, with overnight options ranging from expensive eco lodges to beachside hammock rentals

Understand
Magdalena is easily one of Colombia's most visited regions, as it is home to the ever popular port and tourist hub of Santa Marta. Santa Marta also serves as the jumping off point for virtually anything further east, including the (in)famous Ciudad Perdida trek, the Sierra Madre mountains, the beautiful beaches of Tayrona National Park, and onwards to Riohacha and Cabo de la Vela in Colombia's northernmost department, La Guajira.

Magdalena is also most infamous for the Banana Massacre. As Colombia's principal and very productive banana-growing region, the department swelled with workers for the one-time banana empire of the United Fruit Company. The incoming migrant workers, pejoratively dubbed "fallen leaves" to equate them with rubbish, worked under conditions that would not be tolerated in the modern era, and indeed were not tolerated then – the workers organized an enormous strike, demanding written contracts, eight-hour days, six-day weeks and the elimination of food coupons. The Colombian government, in part fearful of a U.S. military intervention to protect "its interests," decided to dispatch an army regiment to Ciénaga, with orders by General Cortés Vargas to end the strike by all means necessary. Having set machine gunners on the rooftops of the main square, surrounding the strikers, the army issued a five minute warning and then opened fire on the assembled workers, along with their families. Hugely important to Colombian history, the massacre was followed shortly by the civil war known as La Violencia, and to this day, anti-government militants such as the FARC point back to this day as one of the beginnings of their cause.

In a far less violent manner, Magdalena is further important to the history and culture of Colombia for having reared one Gabriel García Márquez. Born and raised in Aracataca, he became Colombia's and one of Latin America's greatest and most respected authors. "Gabo" drew upon his personal history in the region extensively in his literature, basing the fictional town of Macondo on his own hometown, and creating a fictional version of the Banana Massacre in his most well-known novel, One Hunded Years of Solitude.

Get in
Simón Bolívar airport serves Santa Marta.

Stay safe
Despite being by far one of the country's top tourist destinations, Magdalena has some serious problems. Narco-traffickers, paramilitaries, and even FARC militants are present in the area, most notoriously in the Sierra Madre mountains, but attacks on civilians do occur in the cities, where business owners are routinely forced to pay extortion money to the paramilitaries. Less exotic crimes-of-opportunity, such as backpacker muggings on forest trails, are nonetheless a more realistic concern to travelers. As a rule, foreign governments advise against travel in the countryside, especially into the mountains (and this very much includes the nevertheless-popular trek to Ciudad Perdida). The main roads are well policed, though, so you should rest easy traveling along the coast, or down the road towards Aracataca and Fundación.

If riding a motorcycle, there is one weird problem to be wary of along the main coastal road to the west of Ciénaga – beggars/bandits pulling a rope across the road, forcing motorcyclists to either stop and pay up, or be sent flying. Motorcyclists should a) reconsider whether motorcycle travel is a great idea in Colombia, and b) ride alongside a large vehicle, such as a truck or inter-city bus, which will force the kids to drop their rope.

Go next
The clear next destinations from Magdalena lie to the east, along the coast of La Guajira, or to the west, to the big cities of Barranquilla and Cartagena.

title: Magdalena Department


text:
Magdeburg

Magdeburg is the capital city of the Bundesland of Saxony-Anhalt, Germany, with a population of 240,000 (2018). Magdeburg has become a modern city with numerous interesting sights of high importance and uniqueness, as well as many parks, which make Magdeburg the third greenest city in Germany. New shopping malls and other attractions have changed the cityscape enormously. Today Magdeburg has the largest retail area in relation to its overall area of whole Germany.

Understand
Magdeburg was one of the most important medieval cities in Europe. It served as a more or less de facto "eastern capital" of the Ottonian dynasty in the 10th and 11th century and stayed one of Germany's most important cities until the early modern era. As a centre of the reformation and a town that refused to bow to the emperor's authority in the Thirty Years War, Magdeburg became a target of one of the most horrific battles of this war with more than 25,000 dead at the hand of the Catholic forces under Tilly and Pappenheim in the employ of the imperial forces. Tilly christened the event "Magdeburger Hochzeit" or Magdeburg marriage, based on the fact that the "maiden" Magdeburg (Magd is an old German word that can be translated as maid, Magdeburg also has a woman in its coat of arms) had defied the emperor for over a hundred years and was to be "married" and thus made to obey again. While the whole ordeal was seen as a horrible breach of the laws of military conduct even back then, and most buildings were destroyed by the flames, Magdeburg was soon rebuilt, but never gained the strength and importance it once had. In 1631 — the year of the battle — the permanent population temporarily dropped to barely a few hundred. During that time the mayor of Magdeburg was one Otto Gericke who is known even to this day for scientific experiments about vacuums, that some German schoolchildren read about in their textbooks. Thus and because of the Ottonian dynasty, Magdeburg is sometimes called the "city of Ottos". During the Cold War, Magdeburg's population increased rapidly and the city became a socially and economically important centre of East Germany.

After the German reunification, however, most of the city's economy was shut down. Although Magdeburg is in a continuous modernization process and its cityscape changed rapidly, it has to face the same problems like almost all mid-sized cities in eastern Germany: a decline of population due to more attractive jobs in western Germany or in Berlin. The division of Germany is still visible in some ways.

Magdeburg is home of two of Germany's top ranking universities, which make it attractive to college students from all over Europe. Other scientific institutions, like the Max-Planck-Institute, and one of the largest sites of the Fraunhofer Institut, make Magdeburg an important city for international research.

Today's industry includes traditional and also new branches. The company "Röstfein" is one of the best coffee brands in eastern Germany, and the company "Abtshof" is known for its traditional and unique vodka production. The world's first artificial sweetener was produced in Magdeburg and is still in production. The production of wind energy is one of the newer industry branches.

Tourist information

 * Magdeburg tourism website

By plane

If you travel by plane, you can use one of the following airports:

 * Berlin Brandenburg Airport : This international airport replaced Berlin-Schönefeld and Berlin-Tegel airports in 2020. By train, search online for a connection from "Berlin-Brandenburg Flughafen" to "Magdeburg Hbf." (about 2 hours, €30)
 * Hannover : By car, use the freeway A2 heading towards Berlin (about 2 hours). By train, use www.bahn.com to search for a connection from "Hannover Flughafen" to "Magdeburg Hbf." (about 2 hours, €30)
 * Hannover : By car, use the freeway A2 heading towards Berlin (about 2 hours). By train, use www.bahn.com to search for a connection from "Hannover Flughafen" to "Magdeburg Hbf." (about 2 hours, €30)

By car
Magdeburg is situated in central Germany. It is best accessible by car or train. The east-west freeway (motorway) A2 passes just to the north of Magdeburg, and the A14 passes just to the west, with exits leading into several parts of the city.

By bus
There are several domestic bus lines going to Magdeburg.

Get around
There are S-Bahn trains, trams, buses and ferries in Magdeburg. Since they are all unified in a linked transport system called Marego they all use the same tickets. Within the Marego area Magdeburg makes up 1 zone. For getting around in Magdeburg you need to buy a ticket for Zone 010 (Magdeburg). There are several types of tickets you can use in this zone, depending on how often you want to use public transportation.

You can purchase tickets from MVB (Magdeburger Verkehrsbetriebe), the operator of trams and buses in Magdeburg. They have box offices throughout the city, as well as vending machines outside and inside all trams and buses (in the front part of the vehicle). Most box offices are closed on weekends. Outside vending machines will only take coins, whereas the vending machines inside the vehicles will take notes up to €10. You can also purchase your ticket at vending machines of Deutsche Bahn, which operates the S-Bahn in Magdeburg. No matter where you buy your ticket all tickets are valid for S-Bahn, buses, trams, and ferry services throughout the city.

Here are the types of Marego tickets that you most likely want to use within Magdeburg (Zone 010):

 * Single ticket: Ticket for 60 min: adults €2.00 (Einzelkarte), children €1.50 (Ermäßigte Einzelkarte)
 * One day ticket: Ticket valid until 04:00 the following day: adults €4.60 (Tageskarte), children €3.50 (Ermäßigte Tageskarte), probably the cheapest option
 * Ticket strips: Four 60-minute tickets: €7.60 for adults (4er-Karte), €5.70 for children (Ermäßigte 4er-Karte)
 * Short trip ticket (Kurzstrecke): Valid for 3 stops in one direction: €1.40 (can only be bought inside the tram/bus!)
 * Weekly ticket (Wochenkarte): €17.30 for one person, valid until 04:00 on the 8th day from the time of purchase.

If you buy your ticket outside a vehicle you need to punch your ticket inside the vehicle to make it valid. Tickets sold inside the vehicle are valid immediately.

You can search online to find specific connections within the city.

By tram
Using the tram is probably the easiest way for tourists to get around, since most stops are located near busy places or main attractions. Magdeburg has 10 tram lines plus the additional line number 15, which is used in times of heavy traffic, or for special events. Waiting times vary widely and depend on location, time, and day. Within the centre, you will rarely wait more than 5 min (even on Sundays), but at stops that serve only one or two lines, you may have to wait 10-20 min. You will find timetables at every stop. Within the city center electronic timetables are used. Night schedules are different.

By bus
Buses serve all areas of the city. Busses usually run every 20 min. The 11 bus line numbers are 51, 52, 54, 55, 56, 57, 59, 61, 69, 71 and 73. Buses 41-44 operate only in times of heavy traffic or for special events. You will find timetables are every stop. Night schedules are different.

By ferry
There are two ferry services that cross the river Elbe. One is the Fähre Westerhüsen and the other one is the Fähre Buckau. Ferry services are offered from March to October, Tuesdays-Sundays 10:00 to 18:00. Other river services are listed in the freetime section.

By taxi
Most taxis are operated by the Taxi-Genossenschaft Magdeburg eG. When you are in town call 737373 (0049-391-737373 on a mobile phone) to request a taxi at any time.

By S-Bahn
There is one S-Bahn line that crosses Magdeburg from south to north. S-Bahn train stations are shown as a white S on a green filled circle. Trains are running every 30 Minutes. Night schedules are different. If you need to cross the city from south to north or north to south this might probably be the fastest option rather than taking buses and trams. S-Bahn stations are also often connected to DB train stations.

Public transportation at night
Night schedules for trams and buses apply from 21:00 and go until 04:45 Monday-Friday, 06:30 on Saturdays, and 09:00 on Sundays. Only three tram lines and three bus lines are in service during this time. The night trams are 92, 94 and 95. The night bus lines are 91, 93 and 96. If you plan to go downtown at night, you should check schedules before you go, since not all outer parts are served at night. S-Bahn service at night is limited. Trains usually run every hour.

On the street
The Magdeburger Ring (road B71) crosses Magdeburg and is the most important road. It is like an "innercity highway". In order to get into another part of the town quickly, you may use the B71 and get off at the exit you want. Using the B71 might be better if you want to avoid traffic lights and long ways through the city.

Do

 * Football: FC Magdeburg play soccer in 2. Bundesliga, Germany's second tier. Their home ground MDCC-Arena (capacity 26,000) is east of the river 4 km from city centre.

Bike
Magdeburg is one of the greenest cities in Europe and the second greenest city in Germany.

Riding your bike in Magdeburg is a perfect freetime activity. Since most of the streets have cycle tracks on the sides you will not have any problems with taking your bike into the city. Streetcars, busses, ferries and S-Bahn trains allow you to take your bike with you, however, you may have to purchase an extra ticket for your bike.

A very nice way to explore the idyllic nature in and around Magdeburg is using the Elberadweg. This cycle path leads you all the way along the river Elbe and invites you to explore the unique biosphere reserve around Magdeburg. The cycle path's symbol is a white "e" on a blue ground. Signs guide you along the path and show you directions and distances to other towns, villages, and attractions.

Many restaurants and beer gardens are right next to the river, as well as some nice hotels, playgrounds and parks. The web site for the Elberadweg is www.elberadweg.de (partly in English).

River cruises
There are several river cruises offered by the Magdeburger Weiße Flotte GmbH. Here are some of the offers:

 * Panoramafahrt: A 1½-hour cruise along the skyline of Magdeburg. Starts and ends at the mooring Petriförder. Adults €8, children €4
 * Große Acht: A cruise along the biggest waterway cross of Europe. Starts and ends at the mooring Petriförder. Adults €19.90, children €12
 * Kleine Acht: A cruise along the biggest waterway cross of Europe. Starts and ends at the mooring Rothensee. Adults €14, children €8
 * Trogbrückenüberfahrt: A short cruise over the waterway cross. Starts and end at the mooring Rothensee. Adults €5, children €3
 * Kaffeefahrt: River cruise from the city center out to the town Schönebeck. Starts and ends at the mooring Petriförder. Adults €12, children €6
 * Fahrt in den Abend: River cruise in the evening. Starts and ends at the mooring Petriförder. €15 for everyone

Times and current special prices can be found directly at the moorings or in the tourist information centre (Ernst-Reuter Allee 12, ). Tickets can be purchased on board. Reservations are not necessary most of the time if you come early enough. If you want to reserve tickets, contact the tourist information centre in the city centre (address and phone above)! Also contact the tourist information centre for day-trip offers.

Buy
There are numerous shopping malls all over the city. In the centre you have Karstadt, which used to be a mall during the Cold War. It is the oldest of the city, and its building represents socialist architecture. After the reunification the city centre got several new shopping malls. The biggest of them is called Allee Center and has 3 floors. Also in the city centre are the Ulrichshaus and the City Carré. You will also find many stores (as well as bars and cafés) along the road Breiter Weg, which used to be one of the largest shopping streets in Europe before World War II and has now regained most of its popularity with modern architecture.

Some malls were also established in the suburbs of Magdeburg like the Elbe-Park, Flora-Park, Börde-Park and Pfahlberg. You will find pretty much all kinds of goods at any of the named places.

For the most part stores are open from 08:00 to 20:00 (22:00 in some cases) from Monday to Friday. On Saturdays only the large malls open until 20:00, smaller stores are open until 12:00 or 18:00. On Sundays stores are usually closed apart from stations and petrol stations.

Sleep
For anybody coming and going, the "Zimmervermittlung" of the TouristInformationMagdeburg (TIM) should be the first address. Their Telephone number is 0391/5404904 and their email info@magdeburg-tourist.de.

Go next

 * Helmstedt, former German-German border town during the Cold War, 55 km west (25 min by intercity, 45 min by regional train)
 * Halberstadt in the foothills of the Harz mountains, old town rich in history, with a church playing a musical piece that's scheduled to end in the year 2640, 55 km southwest (45 min by train)
 * Stendal, biggest town in the Altmark region, well-preserved old town with many medieval buildings, birthplace of J.J. Winckelmann, 65 km to the north (40–50 min by train)
 * Dessau, with the Bauhaus school of modern architecture, Dessau-Wörlitz Garden Realm (World Heritage sites), 65 km southeast (45–55 min by train)
 * Halle, Saxony-Anhalt's most populous city, rich in history with an interesting old town, birth place of George Frideric Handel, 85 km south (50 minutes by train)
 * Brandenburg an der Havel, 85 km east (45–50 minutes by train; about halfway between Magdeburg and Berlin)
 * Berlin, 155 km northeast (1 hr 40 min by regional express train)

title: Magdeburg


text:
Magelang

Magelang is an administrative and military academy city in the mountains in Central Java province in Indonesia.

By plane or train
The nearest airport and train station are in Jogja, away, or in Semarang.

By bus
From Yogyakarta, you can get to Magelang by bus for about Rp35,000. The trip takes an hour. Buses are also available from Semarang and other major cities in Java like Solo, Surabaya, and Jakarta. Buses stop at.

By taxi
The basic price is Rp5,000 and Rp2,500 per km. You can also get around by bus, minibus, horse cart, or by pedicab.

Stone carvings

Food souvenirs
Pick up some getuk (GUH-took) for the folks back home, a sweet delicacy made from cassava and sugar. Steamed, coloured, and topped with grated coconut. Getuk Trio has three differently-coloured layers: yellow, pink, and brown. Also, slondok, is a cracker made from cassava and spices.

Eat

If it has been one of those days, and you can't think whether you want to eat rice or noodles, just have both. Nasi Magelangan (NAH-see mah-GUH-lang-an), or rice in the Magelang style, is a mixture of fried rice and fried noodles, for that fried carb on fried carb hit. Widely available across the region, it is also known as nasi ruwet (NAH-see ROO-wuht) or 'complicated rice'.

Connect
The telephone area code of Magelang is 0293

North

 * Ambarawa and on to Semarang. If going by car, consider going via Salatiga over the shoulder of Mount Merbabu and the mountain village of Kopeng. Not much quicker but more scenic.
 * Temanggung

South

 * Yogyakarta.
 * Borobudur — an 8th-century Buddhist stupa and temple complex. One of the world's truly great ancient monuments, the single largest Buddhist structure anywhere on earth. Few who visit fail to be taken by both the scale of place, and the remarkable attention to detail that went into the construction. Set in the heart of the verdant Kedu Plain, the backdrop of mighty active volcanoes only enhances the sense of awe and drama. A UNESCO World Heritage Site.

East

 * Head to Solo via the Ketep Pass between Mount Merapi and Mount Merbabu, and Boyolali.
 * Mount Merbabu National Park

title: Magelang


text:
Maggie Valley

Maggie Valley is a tourist resort in the mountains of North Carolina.

See
The views near Maggie Valley are stunning; but be careful not to let them distract you on the winding mountain roads.

title: Maggie Valley


text:
Magnesia

Magnesia is the southeastern region of Thessaly, Greece.

Mount Pelion
Villages in Mount Pelion are shown also in Mount Pelion page.

Understand
The region's name comes from that of an ancient Greek tribe, the Magnetes, not from the metal, magnesium, which itself is also named after this tribe.

By plane
Volos airport is situated in the area of Nea Anchialos, about 30 km SW from the city, and operates only weekly charter flights during the summer, directly from Amsterdam and the UK. There are expansion projects of the airport underway, as well as a rail connection from Volos city to the airport, so as to be able to start some commercial routes as well. Usually there are buses that meet scheduled charter flights in VOL airport to transfer them to the city or Pelion.

By regional coach
Interurban coaches ("KTEL" buses) (KTEL Volou (site in Greek)) are by far the most convenient way to travel around Greece, as well as for intra-regional travelling. There is frequent bus service from Athens Liossion Station to Volos about 15 times a day (cost is about €20) (Some buses stops in Almyros and Nea Anchialos also), as well as from Thessaloniki bus terminal "Macedonia" to Volos about 10 times a day (about €12). Volos is also connected with daily direct routes to Patras, Ioannina, Larissa, Trikala, Karditsa and to many more places in continental Greece via Larissa.

By train
Trains (OSE) connect Volos to other cities in Greece via Larissa. Travelling with ordinary trains can be cheaper, although a little bit slower, whereas choosing a fancy faster Intercity train will cost the same amount of money, or even more than a KTEL bus. Almyros and nearby villages use the Paleofarsalos train station, from where the main Athens - Thessaloniki train line passes.

By bus
You can take the bus from Volos Interurban Bus Terminal ("Yperastiko KTEL") (KTEL Volou). Details on buses, can be found online here

title: Magnesia


text:
Magnetawan

Magnetawan is a village of 1400 people (2016) in the District of Parry Sound. It is on the Trans Canada Trail, in the middle of a 78-km stretch known as the Nipissing Road or the Ontario Ghost Trail.

Understand
The township comprises the communities of Ahmic Harbour, Ahmic Lake, Cecebe, Cedar Croft, Chikopi, Dufferin Bridge, Magnetawan, North Seguin, Oranmore, Pearceley, Port Anson and Port Carmen, as well as the ghost town of Spence.

History
The first people to inhabit the region were the Hurons, Ojibway and Algonquins, who would visit the area in the summer for hunting and fishing but sheltered on Georgian Bay in the winter. While some Europeans explored the region in the early 19th century, settlement and colonization by Europeans was hardly taking place, so much so that the government considered turning the entire region into an Indian reserve.

But when pine stands in southern Ontario became depleted, the area attracted loggers and the government changed its mind and encouraged settlement through free land grants, first offered in 1853. Settlement happened slowly but accelerated when the colonization road from Rosseau to Nipissing began being built in 1866. In 1868, the government passed the Free Grand Land and Homestead Act and began advertising this extensively in European countries to attract new immigrants. Croft Township was surveyed in 1869, Chapman Township in 1870, and the village of Magnetawan was mapped out in 1873.

Magnetawan in the Algonquin language means "swiftly flowing river".

Get in
Magnetawan is about 25 miles (40 km) west of Burk's Falls, which sits right on Highway 11 on your way to North Bay. From Toronto, take Highway 400 north to 11N to Burk's Falls, and follow the signs to Magnetawan.

See

 * Birds and other wildlife can be observed year-round. If you are a birder, keep the bird book and binoculars handy. Great Blue Herons, Loons, Ravens, and cacaphonies of little finches, warblers and chikadees abound. Chipmunks are everywhere. In the winter, you can watch the deer cross the ice. It is well known of course, to everyone, that the call of the loon tugs at your soul. Sit alone on Ahmic lake one night in June, close your eyes and listen, and you will be transported.
 * During autumn the area becomes a blaze of colour as the leaves fall.
 * The scenic drive in has abandoned homesteads, cemeteries that are a century old and ghost towns you can explore.

Do

 * Boating and swimming are possible in the numerous lakes and rivers in the area. The primary lakes are Cecebe - up river from Magnetawan (you'll have to go through the locks), and Ahmic, Nehick and Otter lakes, a series of connected lakes downstream, all of which are accessible by boat.
 * Fish for bass, pickerel, pike and trout. "Pickerel" is just the local name for the Walleyed Pike. The pickerel fishing is not the same as it was in the 1960s, but you can still catch a large one if you troll deep. The smallmouth bass fishing is excellent. On Ahmic Lake, which is situated just downstream of Magnetawan, you will find hundreds of coves, islands, rocky shoals, all of which great bass fishing areas. If you come across a fisherman and ask, he might tell you where 'the rock pile' is and 'the sunken dock' and the 'little island' and 'forest nook'... then again, he may not.
 * In the late spring and early summer, use light lures like Rapalas. Jitterbugs after dark on a calm night. Later in the summer, fish deeper with worms and crayfish. Ahmic is one of the most beautiful lakes in the area. It's 12 miles long with 43 miles of shoreline, much of which is pristine and not developed. There are places on the lake where you cannot see a cottage, a road or another boat. Of course, there will be days when the fish do not feed or bite or rise. Some speculate in their frustration, that Ahmic is an old Indian name for "Lake with No Damn Fish".
 * Driving, hiking, horseback riding and mountain biking are all possible on the quiet country roads in the area.

Drink
There's a liquor store on Highway 520 in the village close to the waterfront. For its size it's well stocked. If you are travelling from the U.S., but you can buy your liquor and beer when you cross the border at a duty-free shop. There are restrictions on the amount of beer and liquor you can import. Check before you buy!

Go next

 * If you have a place to stay the best thing to do is to mess around in a boat. It's been said: "`Believe me, my young friend, there is nothing--absolute nothing--half so much worth doing as simply messing about in boats. Simply messing... `messing--about--in--boats... (Kenneth Graham - The Wind in the Willows)

title: Magnetawan


text:
Magnetic Island

Magnetic Island is an island directly off the coast of Townsville in Central Queensland. Over half the land area of the island is a National Park. Magnetic Island is roughly 7 km by 5 km, with 25 km of walking tracks and several beaches and little bays. It is known as Maggie Island.

Understand
Magnetic Island has about 2000 residents spread among four small villages. It is popular with tourists to the region. The villages run up the east coast of the island, with the western part consisting of national park. The villages from south to north are Picnic Bay, Nelly Bay, Arcadia and Horseshoe Bay. Nelly Bay is in the middle of a large redevelopment involving high-end residential and tourism facilities right on the water. Most budget travellers stay in Arcadia and Horseshoe Bay, which mainly cater to the pub-going and jetskiing tourists.

Get in
Magnetic Island is only accessible by boat from Townsville, which is 8 kilometers away and which has a well-served airport. There are two ferry services, both arriving at the Nelly Bay Ferry Terminal:

Ferries take approximately half an hour to reach Magnetic Island. Some airlines can arrange transfers from the airport to Magnetic Island in a package including the flight to Townsville. Some resorts on the island will include a return ticket as part of your accommodation, so ask this when making a booking.

The Airport Shuttle service operates regularly between Townsville Airport, city, selected hotels and the Sunferries Ferry Terminal for $10 each way. Telephone +61 7-4775-5544 (8:30AM-6PM).

By car
Magnetic Island mostly has good quality sealed roads, but there are some unsealed roads that require a four-wheel drive.

You can bring your own vehicle on the car ferry, or you can hire cars, four-wheel drives and minimokes on the island:

 * Cars from $30/day (unlimited kilometres & insurance included)
 * Cars from $30/day (unlimited kilometres & insurance included)
 * Cars from $30/day (unlimited kilometres & insurance included)

By foot
All of the villages are small enough to allow easy walking within their bounds. In theory the entire island is small enough that you could walk from end to end in less than a day, but the paths are not designed for it. There are walking tracks through the National Park on the island, but they are scenic walking routes rather than a direct way to get to different parts of the island. The direct roads themselves aren't always pedestrian friendly; some roads lack footpaths so you have to share the sometimes narrow and winding roads with cars.

Do

Sailing
Sailing tours are available on the island, and usually depart from either Nelly Bay Harbour or Horseshoe Bay.

Diving
Scuba diving is available on the island, and there are trips out to the Great Barrier Reef leaving Magnetic Island:

Walk
Ensure you take a hat, sunscreen, insect repellent and water for these walks around the island.

Go next
The only place to go from here is back to Townsville.

title: Magnetic Island