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Yaeyama Islands

The Yaeyama Islands (八重山諸島 Yaeyama-shotō) are the westernmost part of Okinawa, Japan.

Municipalities and Islands
The islands area consists of one city and two towns as follows.
 * Ishigaki City
 * Ishigaki - second-largest island with Okinawa's highest mountain and famous Kabira Bay; largest town and transport hub of the islands
 * Taketomi Town
 * Aragusuku - two small, flat islets with only a handful of people living on one of them
 * Hateruma - southernmost inhabited point of Japan
 * Hatoma - small island north of Iriomote; the main attraction here is that there are no attractions
 * Iriomote - largest of the islands, with mangrove swamps, mountains, and extensive forest cover; home of the elusive Iriomote wild cat
 * Kohama - small island that houses one swanky resort
 * Kuroshima (Kuro) - small, flat island with more cows than humans
 * Taketomi - small, flat island next to Ishigaki with a partly preserved traditional Ryukyu village
 * Yonaguni Town
 * Yonaguni - westernmost point of Japan, famous for its mysterious underwater stone structures

The Yaeyama Islands contains one national park; Iriomote-Ishigaki National Park, which comprises of patches of several of these islands.

Understand
The Yaeyama Islands are the most southwestern part of Japan, closer to Taiwan and even Batanes of the Philippines than Okinawa Island, much less the mainland.

In 1771, the islands were hit by a massive tsunami up to 30 meters high, which killed over 8,000 people outright on Ishigaki alone and led to severe famine as saltwater contaminated fields. Several islands have large boulders inland, which are said to have been carried there by the tsunami.

Climate
While most of the Okinawa islands belong to the subtropical climate, Yaeyama Islands belong to the tropical rainforest climate which results in the winter temperature being 2-4 Celsius degrees higher than on Okinawa Island and the other islands in the northern part of the Okinawa archipelago. Even in January and February, the average high temperature is 21°C (70°F), making the area a popular winter getaway, although it's often cloudy and windy due to the winter monsoon which makes it a bit too cool for sunbathing. Spring, around March and April, is an excellent time to visit. The rainy season starts early in May and continues until June. Unlike the rainy season in mainland Japan, it rains neither everyday nor all day long in Yaeyama Islands. Summer in Yaeyama Islands is hot and humid but still one of the peak visiting seasons, while September brings a succession of fierce typhoons. October and November are again good times to visit.

Tourist Information Sites
The tourist association of Taketomi Town has a bilingual guide site for its islands.

For Ishigaki and Yonaguni, see respective articles.

Talk
Due to their isolation the Yaeyama Islands are a linguist's dream. While standard Japanese is spoken everywhere and the main Okinawan language is also well understood, there is a unique Yaeyaman language (yaimamunii) as well. Ishigaki, Iriomote and Taketomi each have their own dialects of this, and Yonaguni's is so distinct that it's usually considered its own language.

An indigenous ideographical writing system known as kaidā was once employed on Taketomi and Yonaguni, but is now primarily found on T-shirts in souvenir shops.

See also: Yaeyama phrasebook, Yonaguni phrasebook

Get in
The Yaeyama Islands are a long way from anywhere.

By plane
The only airport of significance in the islands is the New Ishigaki Airport, which has frequent flights to Naha and Miyako and some direct flights to most larger Japanese cities like Tokyo (3 hours). Regular scheduled fares on these longer flights are quite expensive, with even advance booking fares usually north of ¥30,000 one-way, so this is an excellent opportunity to use the Visit Japan fare if you can.

Low-cost carrier Peach Airlines also flies Osaka-Ishigaki, with promotional fares as low as ¥8,000. As of March 2019, budget carriers Vanilla (soon to be merged with Peach) and Solaseed run flights to Ishigaki from Naha on the main island of Okinawa.

As of April 2019, China Airlines runs seasonal (April-October?) direct flights from Taipei to Ishigaki, and Hong Kong Express has direct flights between Ishigaki and Hong Kong.

By boat
There are no scheduled services to Taiwan, mainland Japan or islands outside the Yaeyama group.

By plane
Japan Transocean Air and Ryukyu Air Commuter have one or two daily flights from Ishigaki to Yonaguni.

By boat
There are frequent services from Ishigaki to Taketomi (10 min) and Iriomote (40 min). Regular boats also connect to the other islands, including the more remote Hateruma, and Yonaguni. The major operators are Anei Kankō and Yaeyama Kankō Ferry. Except for the ferry to Yonaguni, you can buy a ticket for any ferry itinerary from any company's ticket office, for the same price.

Uninhabited islets such as Kayama and Uchibanari, as well as barely-inhabited Arugusuku, do not have regular ferry services, but you may be able to reach them by charter boat, water taxi service, or as part of a snorkeling or diving tour.

See

The Yaeyama Islands are about as off-the-beaten-track as it gets in Japan, but each has its own distinct character. Ishigaki has some spectacular beaches and Iriomote is the only island in all Japan with authentic jungle and mangrove forests, while tiny Taketomi is known for its carefully maintained traditional Ryukyu village.

Do
Thanks to the pristine coral reefs that surround practically all the islands, scuba diving is the number one sports activity. Ishigaki is known for its manta rays, while Yonaguni's star attractions are hammerhead sharks and underwater ruins.

Even with just a snorkel and mask, it's possible to see a good assortment of tropical fish and other marine life among the reefs just a short distance from the beaches. The best spot beach for shore snorkeling in the islands is probably Yonehara on Ishigaki, with extensive coral growth just a few meters out from the shore. Nakamoto Beach on Kuro Island and Star Sand Beach on Iriomote are probably the next best, and at low tide these two are great for snorkeling novices, with shallow, sheltered lagoons and plenty of colorful fish.

Eat

Yaeyama's best-known dish is the ubiquitous Yaeyama soba (八重山そば), which bears little resemblance to soba on the mainland: the Yaeyaman version consists of white wheat noodles in a mild pork-based stock, garnished with chunks of pork (sōki), some slices of fish cake and red ginger. Available everywhere for ¥400-700 a bowl.

The local beef is also renowned, although in Japan prime steaks don't come cheap. The tiny island of Kuro, in particular, is known for having more cows than people.

Some of the more exotic local fare on offer includes snake soup and mimigā, a salad of pork ear, cucumber and vinegar.

Drink
As elsewhere in Okinawa the tipple of choice is awamori, the best known local brand being Yaesen (八重泉), but Yonaguni is also known for its deadly 60° hanazake. In addition to the ubiquitous Orion beer, Ishigaki also houses a microbrewery.

Stay safe
Yaeyama poses no health risks apart from those found elsewhere in Okinawa. Use plenty of suntan lotion and don't insert your hands into holes in trees that make suspicious hissing sounds.

Take care not to snorkel where there are posted warnings of the indigenous jellyfishes. These areas are usually clearly marked. Also, the highly venomous Crown-of-Thorns seastar sits on the reefs, though the local diving service operators actively eliminate them when found as that species of seastar seriously damages the reefs and is extremely dangerous to humans. And as with all tropical seas, the rule of thumb is not to touch or step on anything — some fish and other sea creatures can give you a nasty cut or sting, though most are rarely fatal, and they almost never bother you if don't bother them.

When swimming or snorkeling, be aware that some lagoons can have rip currents, especially during falling tides. Before going out on your own, make sure you know what to do if caught in a rip current (swim sideways out of it, not directly against it, and don't panic). Also be mindful of signs warning of strong currents — on some beaches these feature a big map or satellite image showing the location of rip currents with red lines. If you want to completely play it safe, Star Sand (Hoshizuna) Beach on Iriomote and Nakamoto Beach on Kuro are very safe at low tide, when the lagoons become completely separated from the rest of the sea like giant tide pools.

Respect
The Yaeyama islands have over 200 utaki (御嶽 otake), known in the local language as ogan or on, which are sacred sites (places for venerating the gods). By order of the Japanese government, those "on" pertaining to villages (some of which only survive in the form of city sections now) as well as other more official "on" were outfitted with shrine gates (torii) after the annexation of the Ryukyu kingdom (today's Okinawa Prefecture), but there are subsequently still many that don't have such gates but are instead marked off in other ways, for example, with low stone walls and Japanese signage. Please don't venture inside.

The culture here is more conservative about nudity than in some parts of the world: you're welcome to enjoy the beach in your bikini or speedo, but put on your clothes before venturing into the towns or villages near the beach. It is considered disrespectful to walk the streets wearing only swimming gear.

Cope
There are few options for withdrawing cash on the islands using foreign credit or debit cards. Ishigaki City has a number of "international card" ATMs, mostly operated by Bank of the Ryukyus (including in Family Mart) and 7-Bank, but on other islands you'll be limited to post office ATMs — better be sure they work with your card, or bring a lot of cash!

Likewise, outside of Ishigaki there are no 24-hour convenience stores. You can be caught without anywhere to eat or buy food as early as 19:00 in some areas.

The definitive reference to the islands is Nanzansha's Yaeyama Guide Book (やえやま Guide Book, ISBN 4876413886, Amazon.co.jp), but alas, the only words of English in this yearly-updated tome are in the title. Still, the maps and thorough listings are invaluable, particularly for the smaller islands. Available in better bookstores throughout Japan for ¥1,200, and older copies can almost always be found sitting around in Yaeyaman lodgings.

The free Yaeyama Navi (八重山ナビ) pamphlet with large, detailed maps is also quite good, but the listings inside are limited to paid advertisements.

The ferry companies offer package tours to the islands, and information is available at the ferry terminal, though most of it is in Japanese.

title: Yaeyama Islands


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Yaeyama phrasebook

Yaeyama (八重山物言 / ヤイマムニ, Yaimamuni) is spoken in the Yaeyama Islands, in the Okinawa prefecture of Japan. The language is closely related to Japanese.

Dialects
There are significant dialectal differences between the islands and the following phrasebook is based on the dialect of Ishigaki, the largest and most populous island. See the separate Yonaguni phrasebook for the version spoken on Yonaguni.

A few examples:

Pronunciation guide
"j" is pronounced like a "y" in English. Some syllables begin with a "ng", and this may be difficult for some English speakers. The triangular colon indicates a long vowel.

Basics

 * Good morning! : Sutumudi misharorunneːraː.
 * Hello/Good afternoon! : Misharorunneːraː.
 * Good evening! : Yoːnnarisuŋa.
 * Thanks! : Miːhaiyuː.
 * Welcome! : Oːritaboːri. (alternatively, oːritoːri)
 * Long time no see! : Miːduːhaːsoːnaː.
 * How are you doing? : Ganzhuː yarorunsaː?
 * How are you feeling? : Misharorunneːraː?
 * I'm sorry. : Gurishimihoːryaːyoː.
 * Be careful. : Kiːshikitaboːri.
 * Really? : Aŋzhiː?
 * Do you have any? : Aruroːruŋ?
 * Which one is good? : Zwuridumasu?
 * Yes. : Oː.
 * No. : Aːyi.
 * Hot : Attsanu
 * Cold : Piːshanu
 * Tasty : Umahaŋ
 * Hungry : Yaːsanu
 * I'm full : Badaŋtyita
 * Bad : Naranu
 * Tired : Nihwutaːhaːnu
 * Nice weather today, isn't it! : Kyuːya iyi oːsuku yunna!
 * Bad weather today, isn't it... : Kyuːya yana oːsuku yunna!
 * Hot day today, isn't it. : Kyuːya attsaː soːraː.
 * It's my first trip to Yaeyama : Yayimaŋe hazhimyityi kwitayuː.
 * I've been to Yaeyama a few times before : Yayimaŋe ikumusuŋ kyiurun'yuː.
 * I've been busy with work... : Shigutunu haŋtahaːnu.

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

title: Yaeyama phrasebook


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Yagen Valley

The Yagen Valley (薬研渓谷, Yagen-keikoku) is a remote mountain valley in the middle of the Shimokita Peninsula, on the Japanese island of Honshu.

Understand
There are only two tiny settlements in the entire valley: Yagen Onsen (薬研温泉), a tiny hot-spring hamlet, and Oku-Yagen (奥薬研), population zero but featuring some more hot springs. These hot springs have more than 400 years of tradition.

The local (Ohata town) tourist association has a Japanese-only guide site.

Get in
There are two paved roads into the valley. The main route from Ohata (15 km away) and Mutsu has one bus per day at 08:40, while the shortcut connecting to Mount Osore has none. A dirt trail, navigable by 4x4 in summer, traverses through the valley to the remote west coast.

Get around
Oku-Yagen and Yagen Onsen are 2 km apart and connected by a paved road and a forest trail. Most of the time it will be faster to walk than wait for the bus.

See and do

Oku-Yagen has 3 excellent open-air hot springs, all offering views of the Ohata River rushing through the valley:

 * Meoto Kappa-no-yu (夫婦かっぱの湯), near the end of the paved road, is a modern town-operated facility offering sex-segregated open-air baths with dressing rooms and showers. Open 08:30 to 18:00 daily except Tuesday.  Entrance fee is ¥230 for adults.
 * Ganso Kappa-no-yu (元祖かっぱの湯) is the original hot spring, past the bridge at a fork of the river. The baths consists of two bare-bones dressing cabins and a large rock pool of hot water. This formerly mixed spring bath has adopted a sex-segregated model, where certain genders bathe at certain hours of the day. Attendants from Meoto kappa no yu will periodically check to ensure the rules are complied with, and a closing time, while posted, may or may not be enforced.
 * The unnamed third hot spring is on the river side of the road before the other two, unmarked except for a break in the guardrail and stairs descending towards the river. While it once consisted of two concrete tubs formed into the surrounding rocks, the concrete has since deteriorated and washed away in the years following the Tohoku earthquake. The springbox itself is intact, however, and the water flows freely down a few natural miniature ponds worn into the rock. The industrious visitor can dam up the gap in the rock where the water exits into the river with rocks and debris and a pool will soon form deep enough to sit in. The "pool" is still clearly visible from the trail on the opposite river side, so the modest may wish to wear some appropriate swimming clothes, or visit at night.

Pretty much the only other form of entertainment is hiking. A very picturesque forest trail runs along the side of the river between the two hamlets, partly on the tracks of an old mining railway. The fall colors in the valley are particularly famous.

Eat, drink and buy
The local speciality is wild boar (inoshishi). There are only 3 places to eat, drink or shop in the entire valley:

 * The Meoto baths have a simple noodle shop selling, well, noodles... and, perhaps more importantly, cold beer.
 * The souvenir shop in Yagen Onsen sells souvenirs, drinks and more noodles.
 * The liquor store in Yagen Onsen, open intermittently, sells booze.

Most visitors eat and drink at their own lodgings. If you're camping, bring your own supplies.

Budget

 * Yagen Campground (薬研野営所, Yagen-yaeijo), at the entrance to the valley within walking distance of the springs, offers lawn space for ¥500 per person, toilets and little else. An excellent budget option if you're self-contained.

Mid-range
Yagen Onsen has several midrange minshuku/ryokan, offering a tatami for the night and two meals for ¥8000 plus. Many close for the winter season.

Go next

 * Mount Osore, the gateway to hell of Japanese myth, is a half-hour ride away on a squiggly mountain road.
 * Mutsu
 * Sai
 * Oma
 * Kazamaura
 * Higashidori
 * Yokohama
 * Rokkasho
 * Noheji

title: Yagen Valley


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Yagodnoye

Yagodnoye (Russian: Ягодное, YAH-guhd-nuh-yuh) is a city in Magadan Oblast.

Understand
A gold mining town of about 4000 people, Yagodnoye is the last major town before Magadan.

Get in
By road, around 500 km from Magadan or 500 km from Ust-Nera on the Kolyma Highway. There is an airport at Susuman, about 80 km back towards Yakutsk.

Get around
The city can easily be covered on foot.

See
The central park. There is an aviary in the cinema building.

Check out the abandoned waterworks about 1 km downstream.

Do
Climb one of the hills above the town for an awesome view down the valley.

Sleep
There is a hotel in the same building as the bus station, near the Yagodnoye Creek through the town, for ₽800 for a room with a bathroom.

Connect
There is public internet available in the post office. This is the only internet cafe between Yakutsk and Magadan.

Go next
Jack London Lake. About 10 km down the road from Yagodnoye is the turnoff to Jack London Lake. Cross the wooden bridge and from here a very bumpy dirt road runs about 60 km south to the lake. Some smaller streams have no bridge, and the area is full of Yagoda berries, which means bears, throughout summer. At the lake, expect mosquitos, excellent fishing, and even better views across the water towards distant snow capped mountains. Jack London lake is reputed to have the best fishing in the whole of the Russian Far East.

title: Yagodnoye


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Yajiang

Yajiang is a modern town of under 10,000 people set in a steep valley along the southern Tibet-Sichuan highway (G318) in Ganzi in Sichuan, at an altitude of roughly 2,900 meters. It consists mainly of one long street (Jiefang Jie), with a large square in the town center and several busy side streets adjoining. The town is dusty, and its buildings are modern and mostly somewhat drab, but the surrounding hillsides are attractive, and there is a temple atop one of them. Because of its altitude and location, it sometimes serves as a stop between Kangding and Litang for bicyclists or those averse to long rides. The town is almost entirely Tibetan; many people do not speak fluent Chinese, and few speak English.

Get in
Bus connections to Kanding (5 hours) and Litang (4 and half hours) during the day. As of August, 2012, the highway was being rebuilt, and the roads were in poor condition, so these times should be extended by about an hour each. Private and shared taxis can also be hired along a side street that is downhill from the main road.

See
There is a small but very atmospheric temple on the top of the hill above the main town. You can spot it, earthy mustard and red coloured. It is only about 10 minutes walk from the centre but finding you way up there in the maze of little allies is a bit hit and miss but worth it. In the afternoon when you can see the locals at prayer which is mesmerizing and you will probably be encouraged to see the rest of the building which feels like the monks personal quarters. They will probably make you welcome with salty butter tea if you hang out there long enough.

Buy
Most of the shops in Yajiang are small and informal, serving the needs of the local community. The town does not see much tourism.

Eat
There are several Chinese noodle shops along the main street.

Sleep
A few hostels near the bus station - people will approach you as you get off the bus. Yajiang Hotel (雅江大酒店) is a large but simple hotel near the main square. Phone: 0836 512 4510.

title: Yajiang


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Yakeshi

Yakeshi (牙克石; Yákèshí) is a city in Inner Mongolia Province in China.

Understand
Yakeshi has a population of 391,627 (including surrounding towns; the city itself might not be more than 100,000). It is situated next to the Hailar River 70 km east of Hailar and on the north side of the Greater Khingan Range.

The original name for the city, Xuguit Qi, came from the Mongolian word for the area. Its name was changed to Yakeshi in 1983 when it was designated a county-level city.

Get in
The city is connected by rail to Harbin and Beijing (27–29 hours) to the south and east and to Hailar (1 1½ hours) and Manzhouli (with further connections to Russia) to the north and west

The nearest airport is in Hailar with flights from Beijing (1h50, ¥1,240 but with discounts outside public holidays) and Hohhot. The 70 km ride from the airport is around one hour and ¥180 by taxi

Get around
Only a few public buses. The center is manageable by foot. There are plenty of taxis, shorter trips for ¥5.

Eat
Centre of nightlife is along Shengli West Street (勝利西街) around Jianxing Hotel (建興大酒店) where there are dozens of barbeque restaurants serving plentiful skewers of local mutton and beef (and sheep eyes, bull balls and other delights). Wash down the greasiness with some ice cream with fresh hawthorn.

title: Yakeshi


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Yakima

Yakima is a city of 94,000 people (2019) in the Yakima Valley, part of the Columbia River Plateau region of Washington State. It is the county seat of Yakima County. This article also covers the nearby communities of Union Gap and Selah.

Understand
The Yakima Convention and Visitors Bureau is the official tourism office for Yakima, Yakima County and the Yakima Valley.

By car
Yakima is along Interstate 82, approximately 143 miles southeast of Seattle, 204 miles southwest of Spokane, and 80 miles northwest of the Tri-Cities (Richland-Kennewick-Pasco).

 * From Seattle, take I-90 East to the I-82 off ramp, Exit 110, just beyond the exit to Ellensburg. Keep right on I-82 East and take exit 31A-31B to North 1st Street / Naches.
 * From Spokane, take I-90 West until exit 110, I-82 East, continuing until exit 31A-31B to North 1st Street / Naches.
 * From the Tri-Cities, take I-82 West until exit 33. Merge onto East Yakima Avenue.

A scenic alternative route from the Ellensburg region is the old canyon highway, SR 821, a two-lane road that winds through the Yakima River gorge between Exits 3 and 26, bypassing the Interstate over the mountain ridges. During the daytime, the views are lovely and there are several spots midway to stop, fish, and even camp. Be cautious of rocks on the road, though, and stick to the Interstate at night.

Buy

 * The neighboring town of Union Gap has The Valley Mall and Shopping Plaza, with a wide variety of the usual nationwide chains.

Air stagnation
Sometimes there will be an advisory issued for poor air quality due to stagnation. Because of Yakima's location within a mountain valley, air sometimes settles and becomes stagnant for an extended period of time. During this phenomenon, pollutants often accumulate and subsequently the air quality becomes poorer than usual, and can affect those individuals who have existing respiratory conditions.

You can refer to the National Weather Service website on air quality to see if any such advisories have been issued for the Yakima Valley region.

Disease
There have been confirmed cases of hantaviral pulmonary syndrome in the Yakima Valley; the most recent of which occurred during the summer of 2011.

Although this disease is a very rare, it is important to always take precautions when entering confined spaces, or places that are dusty and underexposed to sunlight, where conditions may be ideal for the presence of a rodent population.

For more information on prevention and transmission, visit the CDC website on hantaviruses.

Heat exhaustion
During the summer months, the temperature in Yakima and the greater Yakima Valley often exceeds.

If you are to be outside for long periods of time, be sure to drink plenty of water and limit the intake of alcohol and caffeine to prevent dehydration and heat stroke. Should you be planning on venturing off into the surrounding landscape, follow desert survival guidelines. Make sure you know where you are going, tell someone where your destination will be, and take an ample water supply with you.

Crime
Yakima has experienced a significant increase in gang activity throughout the past decade due to its population growth. This has resulted in a rise of violent crime within the city limits, although incidents of violence are mostly isolated to particular neighborhoods (mostly on the east side).

Yakima is very nice place to visit and the surrounding scenery is just as wonderful as its sun abundant climate. The problems it does have are typical in most mid-size cities and rarely effect the average person.

The best way to stay safe is to just be smart. Be vigilant! Most often, when people find themselves in a bad situation, it is because they put themselves in that situation. If you need help, there is an often visible police presence in the more troubled locales.

title: Yakima


text:
Yakushima

Yakushima (屋久島) is an island off the south east coast of Kyushu next to Tanegashima and north of Okinawa in Japan. Officially a part of Kagoshima Prefecture, it is on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Though not too well known outside Japan, Yakushima is a popular destination for Japanese tourists, hence the infrastructure (hotels, restaurants, transportation) is good.

Administratively, Yakushima Town (屋久島町) also contains another island, Kuchinoerabu (口永良部島).

Understand
Yakushima (circumference 135 km) is a small, nearly round granite island that has an area of ~505 km2 and is mountainous with a number of mountains rising over 1,800 m, including Miyanoura-dake at 1,935 m and Nagata-dake at 1,886 m. (JNTO, 2007) These mountains catch a great deal of precipitation, earning Yakushima a reputation of being one of the most rain-soaked places in Japan, with measurable precipitation half of the days of the year.

Due to its isolation, steep terrain and exceptional climate Yakushima is one of Japan's natural wonders. The rocky coastline and the verdant mountains rising sharply in the center of the island are often spectacular. Wildflowers and blossoms decorate roads and forest. The pink sunrises and blood red sunsets over the Pacific are breathtaking. White clouds line the horizon and pile up billowing in the blue sky. Mists and rain clouds shroud the tops of the mountains. When the moon has set, the night sky is black and entirely filled with stars.

The island's forests are not virgin. Hundreds of years ago, most of its ancient trees were cut for lumber. The stumps remain everywhere, often uncorrupted and covered with moss or sprouting other trees, including second and third-generation cedar - Nidai and Sandai Sugi - in the continually regenerating forest. The few remaining cedar trees over 1000 years old are termed yakusugi and each is revered and has been given its own name. The largest, was called the Jomon sugi, was estimated to be between 2100 years old (based on a core sample) and 7200 years old (based on its size).

The pristine yakusugi forests were an inspiration for acclaimed animator Hayao Miyazaki's 1997 epic Princess Mononoke.

Because of the remoteness and difficulty of the terrain, there are relatively few tourists. Those who do come come to walk the forests. The well-trod hiking trails are entirely free of garbage. Visitors need to continue to ensure that no waste is left behind.

Human activity being a relatively small part of island life, there is abundant wildlife, notably a large deer and monkey population which goes about its life unconcerned by any humans in the vicinity. Wild monkeys should not, of course, be approached. Unlike some places where monkeys and humans interact, Yakushima monkeys are not fed by residents or tourists and so do not approach cars or persons for food. Don't feed the monkeys and this happy state of affairs will continue.

There are a few bilingual English/Japanese information signs on the hiking trails and in museums. As always the tourist information centers, particularly in Miyanoura, are extremely helpful although English may not be spoken.

Tourist offices
The official website offers useful information in English at the bottom of its download page: city plans, bus schedules and fares, hiking maps and a list of housings (with prices).

In the north of the island, near the port of Miyanoura, there are three places where you can get information.

There is also a tourism office in Anbō.

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

By boat
There are ferry connections to Kagoshima and Shimama.

The "Toppy" (トッピー) and "Rocket" (ロケット) Jetfoil ferries (formerly two separate companies) can be taken from Kagoshima; they both take approximately 2 hours depending on if there are stops at Ibusuki and Tanegashima. They cost ¥8200-8500 (as of Sep 2013) and run 4 times a day, although regular ferry as well as jet foil ferry services are canceled in bad weather (waves more than 3 meters high). It is also better to make a reservation at least the day before, some boats can be fully booked.

Timetables are available on this page (Japanese; Kagoshima: 鹿児島, Yakushima: 屋久島). Before your departure, you can see the traffic situation on this other page. The important symbols are: "○" (normal traffic), "△" (will operate, but may need to reroute), "※" (may be cancelled), "欠" (cancelled) and "－" (not in operation).

Ferries can arrive at either Miyanoura port or Anbo port, so take care to plan the following transport and accommodation accordingly.

Overview
Keep in mind this is a small island with few people. Relying on buses alone to get around can limit your ability to get places quickly. Private rentals are the way to go - rent a scooter if luggage allows as the one road around the entire island takes 3 hours to circumnavigate.

English is spoken less here than the cities, so bring a dictionary!

Bus
You can find bus timetables in English on this page on the site of the tourism office (may not be the latest).

A highway runs around the island's coast. Buses travel most of this outer ring around once an hour from 07:00 to 18:00, taking in the airport, the two major ports, the beaches and hot springs.

There are also infrequent buses to the entrances of the hiking trails in the island's interior: 4 daily to the Arakawa trail (Jomon sugi) and 2 to Yakusugiland, and 6 times daily to Shiratani Unsuikyo. Buses to the Arakawa trail departs either from Miyanoura or the Yakusugi Museum in Anbō. If you take the bus early in the morning at the museum, make sure you know how to get there. For most of the buses, there is no public transportation to get there! From Anbō, it's a 50-minute walk uphill along a road with parts without sidewalk and lighting.

Fares are determined by the distance traveled and are not cheap — for example, the Miyanoura–Arakawa trail head is ¥1,400 one way. As often in Japan, you need to take a ticket (having a number for this stop) when getting on the bus. Before getting off the bus (at its front), check on the fare panel the amount corresponding to this number, and pay at the machine next to the driver.

Rentals
Rental centers will rent out Cars, Scooters and Mountain Bikes for flexible periods of time from 3 hours to 2 days with built in extensions of a day - and penalties per hour late.

A small car (1L/1000cc) comfortable for 1 or 2 people can be had for around ¥5,000.

Regular cars range from ¥6,300 to ¥10,000 a day

People movers - vans with capacity from 6/7 to 8/10 people - range from ¥16,000 to ¥21,000 a day.

Mountain bike hire in Miyanoura (+81 997-42-0091 and -0944) for ¥800 a day.

50cc scooters "baiku" can be hired for around ¥4,000 per day, ¥7,000 for 2 days, and ¥3,000 per day after.

Electric Vehicles like the Toyota RAV4 EV can be seen (not heard) creeping around but sadly aren't for rent.

Taxi
Taxis can be found at the airport and ferry ports around ferry arrival times - particularly the first arrival of the day - and are scarce at other hours.

Taxi phone numbers can be found here but they don't speak English.

From the ferry port
It's easy to feel a little lost when first getting off the ferry at Miyanoura port. There's just a few people, not many tourists to follow, no apparent guides to help you get on a bus and no taxi. Overall there are more vending machines than people walking on the street.

The ferry ports have separate landing wharves for the regular ferry, and the Toppy and Rocket companies.

You can find three places in the neighbourhood where you can find tourism information (see Understand).

Cash
Do yourself a favour and cash up before coming in if possible. There's an ATM at the post office, which, like all other Japanese Post Office ATMs, accepts foreign cards. The closest one to Miyanoura port is a 30-minute walk up the road.

See
Most visitors come to experience the ancient cedar trees and forests. This requires some--or a lot of--hiking (see Do below).

 * Yakusugi Museum (Yakusugi Shizenkan), 2739-343 Anbo (3 kilometers inland from Anbo port; 40 minutes by bus from Miyanoura; 6 minutes by bus from Anbo; part of a museum complex at the base of the road leading to Yakusugiland and the Arakawa trail to Jomon sugi), +81 997 46–3113. Every day, 09:00-17:00 (last admission 16:30; closed 1st Tu of month, and Dec 29 to Jan 1). There are photos, movies and hands-on exhibits showing the island's natural wonders and the history of the logging industry. You can also hug a section of a 1660-year-old yakusugi. English explanatory pamphlet provided. ¥600 (student reductions) A short walk away is the World Heritage Conservation Center.
 * Yakushima Fruit Garden (Yakushima Furuutsu Gaaden), 629-16 Nakama (on the southwest coast, south of Kurio; 50 minutes by bus from Anbo to Nakama bus stop then 20-minute walk), +81 997 48–2468. Every day 08:30-16:30. Walk among the hundreds of tropical fruit trees and plants, with seasonal fruit like papaya, mango, guava and starfruit available to eat or drink. ¥500.
 * Shitogo Gajumaru-en Banyan Garden (志戸子ガジュマル園)(Shitogo Gajumaru-en)(on the coast north of Miyanoura; 10 minutes by bus from Miyanoura to Shitogo bus stop, then a 5-minute walk), +81 997 42–0100. Every day 08:30-17:30 (April to August -18:30). There are 300-year-old Banyan trees and a variety of sub-tropical plants in a park setting. ¥200.

If you leave the towns, villages and main highway, you are almost guaranteed close encounters with the resident deer (shika) and monkeys (saru). Both varieties are small. If you have a car, the most accessible place to see them is the short section of coastal road in the west (south of Nagata) that has not been widened into a highway and where buses do not run. Here, deer often scramble down to the road, and in the afternoons monkeys groom each other on the warm asphalt, stopping all traffic.

On several beaches, including Nagata-inaka-hama Beach, giant turtles come ashore to lay their eggs. This is a rare occurrence from the end of May to August and very early in the morning (01:00-02:00). Only red flashlights may be used so as not to scare away the turtles (who are blind to red light). Two ecotour centers offer guided tours:

Do
You came to see the yakusugi cedar forests. There are three general areas to do this: the trail to and from where the Jomon sugi was, the Shiratani Unsuikyo (白谷雲水峡) forest, and the trails of Yakusugiland. Because of the (dubious) reputation of the oldest but deceased tree on the island, the Jomon sugi is the premier destination for most visitors. It can only be reached on foot, and to get there, hikers must be reasonably fit and start before dawn in order to complete the arduous 10- or 12-hour round trip. It is a beautiful and interesting enough hike, but the steep trail to and from Jomon sugi does not go through the most impressive forest on the island. To see the silent, mossy, primeval forest pictured in the tourist brochures, the better destination is the Shiratani Unsuikyo forest, and it doesn't require an early start and hours of tough hiking to get there.

The Shiratani Unsuikyo forest (白谷雲水峡): This can be reached by car up the road, or by bus from Miyanoura (40 minutes; ¥530). Admission to the trail is ¥300, to cover maintenance. A map and suggested routes based on your time constraints are provided at the trail head. There are two main hiking options: a 3- to 4-hour route through an awe-inspiring forest with a half-dozen or so yakusugi and more moss than you can shake a stick at; and a 30-minute there-and-back hike to the magnificent 3000-year-old cedar called Yayoi sugi. The longer route begins with a series of wooden steps and walkways past waterfalls. A loop to the right takes in the Yayoi sugi but it's recommended to leave this until last. Keep going ahead for 15 minutes until you come to a suspension bridge. Don't cross the bridge but walk ahead into the forest proper where the trail climbs past mossy stumps and ancient trees, and drops down to boulder-strewn drinking streams, leading you deep into another silent world. Deer and monkeys graze and feed unafraid. After about two hours of walking with stops to take in the natural marvels of the forest, the trail divides, with an option to turn right to Shiratani hut and Mononoke-hime no Mori, a part of the forest named after Hayao Miyazaki's anime movie Princess Mononoke. You miss nothing by turning left here and heading back via the original Edo-period Kusugawa trail. After an hour's walk, it ends in the trail's old granite steps down to the suspension bridge. Cross the bridge, turn right, take the loop up to the left to Yayoi sugi if you still have the energy, and return down to the trailhead. This hike is not especially arduous, and is arguably the most beautiful on the island.

Yakusugiland (屋久杉ランド): In spite of its theme-park name, this is another natural area for walking in the forest among yakusugi, with a variety of hiking options based on time (there are 30-, 50-, 80- and 150-minute round trip trails). It is less accessible than Shiratani Unsuikyo, being further from the coast with a narrower access road and fewer buses.

To and from Jōmon sugi (縄文杉): The usual way to approach the remains of the giant tree is via the Arakawa trail, a round trip of approximately 10 hours. There is limited parking at the trail head, or it can be reached by a complex series of buses. First, drive, or take a bus or taxi to the Yakusugi Museum (Yakusugi Shizenkan) Complex. The trip from here to the trail head at Arakawa Tozanguchi bus stop is on two further buses with the change halfway and a combined fare of ¥1010. The first, easy part of the hike is along the tracks of the railroad used to haul out cedar logs. After about two hours, the trail turns off the rails and from here it's a hard two-hour climb up the well-maintained path, passing Wilson's Stump, the huge hollow remains of a logged tree, and on up to Jomon sugi. Many visitors make the hike in a group with a guide. This isn't necessary as the trail is well-marked, but a guide enriches the experience by pointing out and giving you the (Japanese-language) inside information on the history and landmarks. Food and water must be carried in, but water can be replenished halfway along the railroad and at the drinking streams near the destination. Solid walking shoes or light hiking boots are best, with sneakers possible if you're careful. It rains at least part of most days, so pack an umbrella or plastic rain jacket. Because of the hiking time and time required to get to the trails from the coast, hikers often start out before 05:00. If you have not reached the remains of the Jomon sugi by 13:00, it may be advisable to turn around or you may by caught on the trail by night fall. An alternative way to Jomon sugi is starting at Shiratani Unsuikyo. This route begins with the hike through the Shiratani Unsuikyo forest (see above), taking the right fork to Mononoke-hime-no-Mori, then climbing steeply toward (but not to) Taikoiwa rock, and going over the Tsujitoge pass before descending to join the Arakawa trail where it turns off the railroad, for a 12-hour round trip.

Longer hikes with overnight stays are available for the adventurous. The hiking trails are among the most pristine and lonely in Japan. The hike to the top of the highest peaks Miyanoura-dake (1867 m) and Nagata-dake (1886 m) and back (or across the island) is tough, typically requiring two to four days depending on the route you select. There are a few mountain huts along the way, but they are nothing more than empty structures so bring your own bedding and provisions. It will rain.

There are a few white sand beaches with clear water at various places on the coast. If there is no lifeguard, swim with caution. Nagata-no-hama beach has a small reef system nearby so it is possible to see some marine life. At the southern/western end of this beach there are some showers available for use.

Scuba is also available.

Buy
Using the local cedar, artisans craft a great variety of goods such as chopsticks and sake cups in all price ranges for the souvenir trade.

Eat
Local specialties include flying fish and two varieties of orange: tankan and ponkan.

On the coast road south of Anbo, by the parking lot for Toroki Falls, a produce center sells fruit in season and other local goods and produce including tankan juice, ice cream and sherbet. (The Toroki Falls are a 5-minute hike away. They fall directly into the sea, but are underwhelming.)

In Anbō
Anbō has a choice of restaurants wide enough for a short stay: If you need a meal for your lunch:
 * Otherwise you can still go to the supermarket A-Coop (see section "Buy")
 * Otherwise you can still go to the supermarket A-Coop (see section "Buy")

Drink
The local shochu is worth sampling. The most famous is called Mitake, and comes in a 25 percent and 32 percent variety.

Sleep
Cottage Morinokokage is log cabin cottages in Funayuki. There are 9 individual log cabins, and 3 different types of room are available. Amenities are TV, air-conditioner, refrigerator, electric pot, dryer, Japanese Tea Set, candle lantern, bath and shower (inc. shampoo, hair conditioner, body soap, and hand wash soap), toilet, Mexican hammock, garden table, swing, low rebound mattress and pillow, free parking space, laundromat in property, and smoke free in the room.

It is located between Anbo and Miyanoura, where easy access to main sightseeing spot such as Jomonsugi and Shiratani Unsuikyo. 5 min drive from Anbo port, 8 min drive from Yakushima air port, and 20 min drive from Miyanoura port.

There is excellent mountain (Myoujou-dake and Funayuki-maedake) view from each rooms, and shining star can be seen at night. Walking distance to seashore to see beautiful sunrise and Tanegashima island. Breakfast, BBQ, early Bento delivery, local restaurant, taxi, rental car can be arranged.

Budget
Camping is not allowed in the national park, but backpackers can find several small huts along the trails in the central mountains of the island that they can stay in free of charge. These huts vary in size and can accommodate anywhere from 20-60 people. However, they are little more than four concrete or wooden walls and a roof, and at night they get very cold. Backpackers should be well equipped with sleeping bags and heavy clothing even when weather along the coast is warm and pleasant. Rental equipment from Miyanoura is not always up to par.

Camping sites at the coast are about ¥800 and a few backpackers starting from ¥1600 for accommodation only.

There are two youth hostels on the island, both of which are dormitory-style type and cost about ¥3000 per person.

Mid-range
There are many small lodges which run ¥5000-8000 with 2 meals.

During the rain it is a cosy, lovely, dark, and aromatic experience in sharp contrast to the dense compact cities of modern Japan.

As per Shiki no Yado it's ¥7-8,000 a person a night, including dinner and breakfast. Beer is separately purchasable, and for an extra ¥6-700 they will pack you a bento for lunch the next day - this is recommended as it can be hard to find a restaurant or food for sale on the hiking trails.

As it's quite out of the way, pick up at 16:00 at the Minshuku run by the same people near Miyanoura  (Minshuku Yaedake Honkan 民宿八重岳本館) can be arranged during the booking or rock up and ask for the pickup

Stay safe
Some snakes. When hiking, a proper equipment is required (hiking shoes, water and food, warm and rain clothes, whistle). The coastline is beautiful, but rough; bathing in the wrong place might be dangerous.

title: Yakushima


text:
Yakutat

Yakutat is a town near Glacier Bay National Park in Alaska.

Understand
Though Yakutat's population was only 662 in 2010, it has regular passenger flights, some in Boeing 737-400s, to its airport, which was built for an Army Air Force base during World War II.

Get in
There are no roads connecting Yakutat to other parts of Alaska.

By plane
Alaska Airlines has regular service from Anchorage, Cordova, Juneau, and Seattle.

By sea
There is regular ferry service from several ports in southeast Alaska. The Alaska Marine Highway System only serves Yakutat on "cross gulf" routes.

Do
Yakutat is the surfing capital of Alaska.

title: Yakutat


text:
Yakutia

Yakutia (Russian: Яку́тия, yah-KOO-tee-yuh), also known as the Republic of Sakha, is located in the Russian Far East, and is notable for being the world's largest subnational governing body by area. Yakutia covers an area of more than 3 million km², representing about 18 percent of the Russian Federation, and making it roughly the size of India, despite having a population smaller than that of Rhode Island. The republic's capital is Yakutsk.

Yakutia borders Chukotka to the northeast, Magadan Oblast and Khabarovsk Krai to the southeast, Amur Oblast to the south, Zabaykalsky Krai and Irkutsk Oblast to the southwest, Evenkia to the west and Taymyria to the northwest. In the north it has a long coastline with the Arctic Ocean.

Cities

 * (Russian: Якутск; Sakha: Дьокуускай, D'okuuskay) — oblast capital and a serious contender for the title, "Coldest city in the World"
 * (Russian: Кюбюме) — abandoned town on the road from Magadan, perfect for an urbex expedition
 * (Russian: Ленск; Sakha: Лиэнскэй, Lienskey)
 * (Russian: Нерюнгри; Sakha: Нүөрүҥгүрү, Nüörüñgürü)
 * (Russian: Ти́кси; Sakha: Тиксии, Tiksii) — former Soviet trade post and sea port along the Arctic shoreline.
 * (Russian: Усть-Нера; Sakha: Уус Ньара) — large-ish town on the road from Magadan, featuring an interesting museum and surrounded by impressive mountains and taiga

Other destinations

 * (Russian: Остров Бе́ннетта, Ostrov Bennetta) — the westernmost and largest island of the De Long group, a scattering of smaller islands north of the New Siberian Islands
 * (Russian: Ле́нские столбы́, Lenskiye Stolby; Sakha: Өлүөнэ туруук хайалара, Ölüöne Turūk Khayalara) — an
 * (Russian: Новосиби́рские острова, Novosibirskiye Ostrova; Sakha: Саҥа Сибиир арыылара, Sanga Sibiir aryylara)

Understand

Yakutia, or Sakha as it is known to its indigenous locals, is named after the Yakut (Sakha) people, who are remotely related to Turks. While most of Sakhas are, at least nominally, Orthodox Christians, there are still many remnants of their ancient religion, Tengriism (a kind of sun-worship, with shamanistic practices). Other aspects of indigenous Sakha culture have started going through a revival as well.

Time zones
Yakutia extends over three time zones: UTC+9, +10, and +11, with the capital Yakutsk lying in UTC+9.

Talk
Native language of Sakha people is Sakha, which is a Turkic language, but Russian is by far the most common language anyway, as Sakha is spoken by only about a quarter of the population. English is not widely spoken or understood.

By plane
One can arrange regular flights by several airlines to Yakutsk, Neryungri and Mirny.

By train
The train service works to Neryungri, Aldan, Tommot and Nizhny Bestyakh station on Amur-Yakutsk railway. The station for Yakutsk is pending.

By car
The only road connecting Yakutia with other regions of Russia is M56 Never-Yakutsk road. It is macadam covered, sometimes asphalt (near towns and cities). There are many lakes and rivers along the way. It's very exciting to go along this road, selected as "the worst in the world" in 2006; it has been renovated, but still, after long rains, it becomes a way of mud.

Get around
Air travel is the main mode of transportation due to the large distances across Yakutia.

A popular option during the summer months is to take a river boat along the majestic Lena river, cruises and regular services are available from Yakutsk. Among the routes offered are a once-weekly hydrofoil service to Lensk (₽4000, 32 hours). The more remote destinations you can reach via ship includes arctic settlement of Tiksi where the Lena river meets the Arctic ocean, there are 5-6 departures during summer and a one-way journey takes five days, prices from about ₽12000. More information can be obtained from the Yakutsk river port (+7 4112 21-90-13), the seasons schedule is usually published in early May.

Itineraries

 * Kolyma Highway — one of the ultimate adventures on the planet with a very real possibility of death, this "highway" crosses the taiga all the way from the Pacific coast

Do
Outdoor life.

Eat

 * Stroganina (Russian строганина) consists of raw, frozen fish. Thinly cut strips of the frozen fish are rolled in a mixture of salt and pepper called macanina. Stroganina is prepared from different types of fish. It is often enjoyed with vodka, or with other ingredients.

Stay safe
Yakutia has the lowest outdoor temperatures recorded outside of Antarctica.

title: Yakutia


text:
Yakutsk

Yakutsk (Russian: Яку́тск, yee-KOOTSK) is the capital city of Yakutia (a Russian republic the size of India) and one of the oldest and coldest cities of Siberia.

Yakutsk has gained attention as potentially the coldest city in the world, but is worth a visit more for the great natural beauty of its surrounding countryside, unique cryogenic museums, and just for the spirit of adventure in the most remote lands of the world.

History
The Yakut are a Turkic people who live in Yakutsk region in the Far East. A detachment of Cossacks under the command of Pyotr Beketov founded the city as the Lenskii fort, on the right bank of the Lena River, which grew into (and changed its name to) Yakutsk in 1647.

As one of the most important Russian outposts in eastern Siberia, Yakutsk became the economic and administrative center of the region—a base for probes (and later scientific expeditions) into the Far East and the extreme North.

In 1822, Yakutsk was designated a city, and in 1851 became the administrative capital of the Autonomous Republic of Yakutia. Today Yakutsk is a major administrative, industrial, cultural, and research center—standing out as one of the most dynamic and fast-developing cities in the Russian Far East.

Climate
Yakutsk is situated at the fairly high latitude of 62°N. Its climate is definitively very continental, with temperature records of and  (a range of over 100° C)! The average temperature in January is around ; in July,. The ideal time to visit (unless you're traveling here purposely to experience the extreme cold) is from March to July. The sunny spring months will allow you to enjoy winter sports like skiing, ice-skating, dog sledding, ice sculptures, etc., under temperatures permitting outdoor human life. The average March temperatures, of course, are still cold at an average of. The summer months of June–July are great for the opportunities to see the Northern wilderness in its full glory, to enjoy the White Nights when it never gets really dark, to set off on adventures along the Yakut rivers, and to experience the Yakut national holiday "Ysyakh."

By plane
There are two airports.

During the winter, Yakutsk often has fog, sometimes lasting for days or even weeks. The airport may be closed as a result, or flights can be delayed by several hours. Although Russian airlines do land in some amazingly poor visibility, sometimes the conditions are so bad that even Russian pilots will not attempt it. It is not unusual for passengers to Yakutsk to find themselves staying in Magadan or some other alternative city instead, sometimes for days. The airline personnel generally will be most unhelpful in providing information about when you can continue on to Yakutsk, and they will not offer hotel accommodations or meals to passengers who have been stranded. It is advisable to carry at least some emergency money just in case you end up stranded somewhere.

To get from the international airport to the city center, you can take a taxi (15-20 min), or one of the buses #4, 5, & 20 (30-40 min). Magan is a bit further out, and a taxi ride to the city center will take 30-40 min; the bus "Yakutsk-Magan" will take a little over an hour.

By train
Since the end of July 2019, Yakutsk has been connected to the Russian rail network. This train is usually very crowded and if you are not a Russian speaker, expect to be stared at and talked about constantly. It is possible to find a sleeper wagon (kupe or platskart) that comes from Irkutsk, Blagoveshchensk or Vladivostok, although flying to Yakutsk is still highly recommended.

By car

The only road that is passable year-round, connecting Yakutsk to the rest of the world, is the A-360 "Lena" from Never to Yakutsk. The road is in a mostly good condition, and moslty paved, however the infamous section between Uluu and Kachikatsy is still unpaved, this sections was the worst section where cars would be swallowed by rivers of mud, however despite being unpaved, this section can now be travelled by a normal passenger car. In 2006, the road won the dubious distinction of "worst road in the world."

In the past couple years the condition of the road is improving, with serious reconstruction work ongoing. But regardless, in the rain, a couple sections of the road are still unpaved (especially the section between Uluu to Kachikatsy). The last stretch, from Nizhny Bestyakh to Yakutsk requires a ferry in the summer across the Lena River; in the winter you can just drive across the ice! In the months in between (May and October) there really isn't a way to make the crossing.

Another road is to Magadan. This road (the Kolyma Highway) is serious adventure travel, and should not be attempted on a whim. Dirt or gravel roads extend across several unbridged rivers for 2025 km. As of 2008, the road is supposed to be passable in summer and winter by standard cars, however don't use your own. Reports (presumably from people crazy enough to go this way) suggesting that a 30 km section of the trip is prone to natural gas seepages are not correct. Sections of the road are prone to gas seepages from mineral springs, but do not directly cause problems due to lack of confinement. Many accidents occur due to drivers falling asleep after marathon drives, particularly in winter when turning off the car engine is almost certain death.

The A-331 road will take you from Tulun in Irkustk Oblast, it will take you via a paved road to Ust-Kut, however after Ust-Kut it becomes an ice road, with 600 miles of no police, emergency services or mobile data, once you reach Mirny, the road improves and is half paved, half good gravel all the way to Yakutsk.

By bus
Two buses per week travel Yakutsk–Neryungi (18–20 hours) from the, and Yakutsk–Aldan (12–14 hours). There are also mini-buses, which run between local towns and Yakutsk, provided they can fill enough seats to make the trip profitable.

By boat
Regular passenger travel by boat along the Lena River to/from Yakutsk is possible to/from Olekminsk, Lensk, Zhigansk, Khadygu, and several other small localities in central Yakutia at the. There are no regular passenger connections beyond the boundaries of Yakutia, but there are occasional passenger boats coming in from Ust-Kut (Irkutsk Oblast), where there is a train station along the Trans-Siberian Railway. There is also regular freight traffic through the North Sea from the ports of Northwestern Russia (Murmansk, Arkhangelsk), by the name "Northern Delivery" (Северный завоз).

By bus
Bus is the basic mode (and really the only mode) of public transport within Yakutsk. A well developed network of marshrutkas can take you to practically anywhere in the city. A few suburban routes to the nearest inhabited localities also run from the main bus station. All routes cost ₽16, although kids less than seven years old ride free.

By taxi
There are several taxi companies in Yakutsk, which you can call for service. The prices are not fixed, and depend on the length of the trip (and likely how much they think they can take this foreigner for). The average price for a cross-town trip is about ₽100-120. You can also hire a cab for the day, which will cost you about ₽350 per hour.

Nowadays, it is easy to call a taxi using app available on iOS and Android mobile platforms. YandexTaxi is also available. Prices vary, but tend to stay lower than official taxi companies.

Museums
Take note: Yakutsk is far off the beaten path in Russia for international tourism. Consequently, you should expect all museums exhibits to be explained only in Russian. Fortunately some exhibits (like the cryogenically preserved mammoth head) don't require too much explanation!

There are a bunch of smaller museums, which don't have the broad appeal of those listed above, but you might nonetheless be interested.

Architecture and monuments

You might also come across:

 * The restored towers of Yakutsk's 17th-century palisades.
 * The 18th-century treasury building.
 * Shergin's Mine—an extremely deep, private, hand-dug mine suspended in eternal frost
 * A.E. Kulakovsky Memorial—a writer and public activist (i.e., communist).
 * Various other memorials to standard Soviet and Imperial personae (Lenin, Dzerzhinsky, Marks, Kraft, Yaroslavsky, etc.).
 * Two Mammoth monuments, at the Institute of Cryogenics, and at the circus.
 * Various architectural monuments to traditional Siberian architecture from the first half of the 20th century, particularly in the neighborhoods of Zalog and Saisar (Залог, Сайсар).

Itineraries
One day in Yakutsk

In the morning, it's best to try to see the sights at the main museums: the Mammoth Museum and the Museum of Archaeology and Ethnography. From there, weather permitting, stroll along the bank of Warm Lake (Тёплое озеро), a favorite among young locals (and locals in love). Bridges unite the two sides of the lake—on one side the University town, on the other an old neighborhood with old wooden architecture. In the summer dancing fountains run within the lake, in the winter locals ice-skate.

Having turned back to the north west onto the intersection of Lenin and Kulakovskaya streets (пр. Ленина, ул. Кулаковская), you'll find yourself at Friendship Square (площадь Дружбы) by the Kulyakovsky Monument, the Opera House, and the 18th century Treasury building. One of the newer buildings there is a branch of the National Art Museum. Go further northwest along Lenin Prospect until you reach Lenin Square, from which, walking along Kirova St to the southeast, heading towards the cupola of the Preobrazhensky Church, you'll find the "Old City." After looking around at the architectural sights here, try Yakut cuisine at the hotel restaurant "Tygyn Darkhan" (Тыгын Дархан).

Not far from the restaurant, in the store "Kudai Bakhsy" (Кудай Бахсы), there's a wide selection of Yakutsk souvenirs. After the fleshly pleasures of lunch, set off for a dessert of the soul with a trip to the National Art Museum (Национальный художественный музей РС), which stands right there on Lenin Square. But it's worth bearing in mind that even a "running tour" of the expositions would require one-two hours. To fill the rest of the day you could visit the museum of local lore (Краеведческий музей), which is 10 minutes on foot from Lenin Square to the northeast. If you want a really great dinner before ending your day, head to the Yakut-Russian restaurant "Chochur Muran" (Чочур Муран), which is located in a picturesque setting, and which contains its own museum's worth of various 19th-century curiosities.

Day two

In the first half of your second day in Yakutsk, it's best to head down into the Underground Laboratory of the Institute of Cryogenics, and for the second half check out the very interesting museums of local folk music and folklore. Then finish off the day with a dinner at "Tamerlan" (Тамерлан), and a visit to a show at the Sakha Theater (in Yakut!)

Day three

Time to get out of the city—spend the day at one of the sights in the surrounding areas. Pick one of the ethnographic complexes, either "Orto Doidu" (Орто Дойду) for its zoo and restaurant, or Friendship (Дружба) for its open-air architectural museum.

Day four

If it's a Saturday or Sunday, you can get on a swift boat (Восход or Ракет) for a one day trip to the Lena Pillars Nature Park (Ленские Столбы), an impressive set of stone pillars along the rocky coast of the Lena River. The boat will set out from the river station pretty early in the morning and will return around 22:00-23:00 in the night. It's probably better, though, to set up the trip in advance with a Yakutsk tour agency (probably through your hotel, unless you've got a good command of the Russian language), since the riverboat cruises only go out if they get enough passengers, and it's possible that they might not have enough on one day to make the cruise profitable.

Do

Festivals and holidays

Other holidays:

 * New Year's (1 January)
 * Workers Day (1 May)
 * Victory Day (9 May)
 * Yakutsk City Day (at the beginning of September)
 * Day of the Republic (27 September)
 * The International "Tabyk" (Табык) Festival of Modern Music (every year in December, although it hasn't been celebrated every year due to lack of funds—it was skipped in 2005).

Buy

 * Clothes. If you are coming here from abroad during the winter, you will find that your clothes are insufficiently warm. Russians and Yakuts know a thing or two about keeping warm, so Yakutsk is a fine place to pick up a coat or some fur lined boots. The cheapest options, and they are very affordable, are without a doubt in the city markets, Stolichny (Столичный) and Mann'yttayah (Манньыаттаах). To avoid the stresses of haggling and "foreigner" pricing, you can pay a bit more in any of the shops and boutiques in the small downtown commercial center along Lenin Prospect, like Atlant (Атлант), Optimist (Оптимист), Favorit (Фаворит), Apel'sin (Апельсин), and many others.
 * Groceries. The lowest prices on groceries are at the wholesaleers trading on Chernyshevskovo (ул. Чернышевского) and in the smaller supermarkets in the quieter sections of town, outside the city center. Look for Tokko (Токко) and Solnechnaya Tuimaada (Солнечная Туймаада). There's also great, fresh local produce at the Krestyansky market (Крестьянский). You can find deli sausages cheeses in the stores name Elisey (Елисей) and Poyarkov (Поярков). 24 hour convenience stores are around in all quarters of the city, frequently near bus stops.
 * Drinks. Liquor sales are banned from 20:00 to 14:00 daily. There are a few local brews worth trying, like Ellei (Эллэй) and Yakutskoe (Якутское). There are also a few local liquors to try, the most interesting of which is undoubtedly Pantoff, a vodka made with the extract of the velvet from reindeer antlers.
 * Souvenirs. The widest selection of various souvenirs are in Merkurii (Меркурий), 202 caliber (202 калибр), Bayanai (Байанай), and Tsarskaya Okhota (Царская охота).
 * Books and maps. The best stores for books include the Book Market (Книжный маркет), Knigolyub (Книголюб), Argys (Аргыс), Subscribers' editions (Подписные издания), and Propagandist (Пропагандист). Maps of local areas are at Globus (Глобус).

Eat
Most Yakutians do not often eat out in restaurants. When they do, it is most often for special occasions such as for weddings, birthday celebrations, and so on. Most of the local restaurant customers will tend to be the younger generation who were born after 1970.

Traditional Yakutian food is simple and extremely bland. Soups are probably the most common items, and most Yakutians will have soup at least once during the day. Salads are very common, and almost always made with mayonnaise. Mayonnaise, as everywhere in Russia, is used everywhere and on everything. Yakutian delicacies include fish, reindeer, and young horse. Pork is the most common meat, but sausages and kolbasa are very common. Fish is often served frozen or pan fried. Meat is often boiled or fried and is generally overcooked, or "cooked until death", making it tough.

There are a lot of places where hamburgers are offered in Yakutsk, but there are no places offering a good one. Most are made from pork, not beef. Most have been precooked and then reheated to serve. Don't be fooled by the fact that many places are using McDonald's trade-marked product names. What you get will not resemble the McDonald's product.

Mexican sounding dishes have been introduced in Yakutsk, but so far these have been local interpretations by local chefs who have no clue about Mexican food. There was a so-called Mexican restaurant which seems to have closed. Don't be fooled into ordering the local buritos or tacos unless you just want to have a laugh. There is no Mexican food in Yakutsk.

Eight years ago there were no sushi bars in Yakutsk. Today, sushi is available seemingly everywhere. It is popular with the young people who are the most frequent visitors to restaurants. All of the fish is brought in frozen, and a number of cases of food poisoning in sushi restaurants in Yakutsk are attributed to sushi fish being kept at room temperature for too long. Most of the sushi chefs have been locally trained by other locally trained sushi chefs, and this also shows in the quality of the sushi. Makisushi is the most popular and most of the local chefs have mastered this art. Nigiri sushi is also pretty common, but the kinds of topings available will be limited. Many Japanese restaurants also offer other Japanese dishes, but the chefs generally have no real idea what the real Japanese dish should be, so you will find many interesting local interpretations. Many restaurants offer interesting combinations of Japanese and other ethnic foods.

Pizza restaurants have also become popular, and there are more and more places offering pizza. Pizza in Yakutsk is the ubiquitous Russian thin crust pizza. Tomato sauce is often absent or sparingly applied. Various types of cheese may be used. Mayonnaise is often used instead of tomato sauce or sometimes in addition to it. Real pepperoni is a rarity in Yakutsk, but the pizzeria in the Polar Star hotel usually has it, and it is occasionally available elsewhere.

There are many Chinese people in Yakutsk, so the number of Chinese restaurants here is not surprising. They are reasonably authentic, even though the Chinese in Yakutsk, as everywhere Chinese have migrated, have adapted their dishes to local ingredients and tastes. There are similarly decent Korean restaurants in Yakutsk.

There are several hundred places in Yakutsk where it is possible to get a meal of some sort or other. Many office and other buildings have cafeterias that are open to the public, but they are not advertised. Usually these cafeterias have limited choices, and the food will be simple and inexpensive. But if you are hungry and on a limited budget, it may be your best bet.

Most restaurants are in the budget/low end category, and cleanliness may be poor. Some may not even have running water. Be careful!

Fast food is available but does not match the quality standards of the major global fast food chains.

Coffee houses are common and generally good. These generally offer various types of coffee and tea and usually some pastries. Some offer a somewhat more expansive food menu. The food items can vary a lot, but are generally OK, especially the cakes and dessert items.

Budget
In spite of the fact that Guesthouse Sanaa still shows up on many hotel listing sites, it has been closed for several years.

Connect
The phone code is 4112.

Mobile phones
Yakutsk has the traditional set of Russian mobile operators:

GSM 900/1800/UMTS/4G:

Check roaming prices before using non-Russian sim-card, especially those for mobile Internet. Some standards of mobile connection are not supported in Russia, e.g. those for Japan and United States.

Staying in Russia for a week or more, it's definitely worth buying a local sim-card, but be aware that a passport is needed for that. The easiest way to refill a local mobile account is to use an ATM. Most ATMs have bilingual interfaces, allowing numerous kinds of payments, including those for mobile services by local operators. Another way is to use one of the terminals that are all over city, such as Qiwi or mobile shops.

Post
The full list of the offices can be found here. The General post office is at Dzerzhinskogo 2 building 4. Postal code is 677000.

Wireless Internet
Wireless internet can be found in several places
 * Polar Star Hotel provides it with a fee.
 * Europa entertaining center with restaurant and night club provides it free, but the speed is limited.

Stay safe
The center of the city, where you'll find the hotels, cultural activities, and the principal sights, are quite safe at any time of the day. The central streets are well lit and frequently patrolled by the police (who are probably more trouble than any actual criminal activity downtown). Do not drink in public at night or you will have problems with the police.

There are street robberies/pickpocketing (especially on public transport), but such crimes are very rarely violent or even overt. Demonstrate the minimum level of prudence and you should not have any troubles.

Although some locals may suggest to avoid some of the poorer neighborhoods at night, like the 17th Quarter (квартал) and Saisary (Сайсары), those neighborhoods have changed for the better and are as safe as anywhere else in Yakutsk.

Hold on to your things, or keep them in inaccessible pockets, on public transport and crowded markets. It's also worthwhile to note that some hold a ridiculous suspicion of the ethnic minorities here, but that's purely a myth. Yakutsk is a harmoniously multi-ethnic and tolerant city, open to anyone who's happy to be here.

The biggest danger in the city, without a doubt, is the extreme cold of the Siberian winter. In the winter, the cold can kill you quickly, and even if you're careful, you can very quickly lose a nose or a couple toes. When going out in -50° Celsius weather, layer every article of clothing you own (fur is best), and plan to spend no more than ten minutes outside directly exposed to the air. If walking, you will become exhausted very quickly—avoid walking entirely and take taxis door to door everywhere you go.

Be aware of stray dogs, especially in winter time. They tend to form a pack and attack when they cannot find enough food when it is freezing.

Also if you want to have a little fun, take a pot of boiling water outside and immediately toss the water into the air. It will freeze instantly in the air and make an extremely loud hissing noise.

Go next
You can finish touring all the principal sights of Yakutsk and the nearby areas in just 3–4 days. But there are many activities (especially outdoor activities) beyond the city limits for the adventurous traveler. Travel agencies will help you set these up, and given that this is Russia, it may well be wise to plan your trips through one. Here are some ideas:

 * Warm water cruises along the Lena River to the Lena Pillars and back (2–3 days)
 * Warm water cruises along the Lena River to the Northern Sea (14–15 days) with lenaturflot
 * Road trip to the Buluus glacier (1–2 days)
 * Air travel to the unique spires/hoodoo rock formations of the Northern Mountains by Kisilyakh (5–7 days)
 * Air travel to the Northern Sea by Tiksi (3–7 days)
 * Road trip to Oymyakon—the Northern Pole of Cold. The coldest place on earth outside Antarctica. No joke, it's a village (who the heck decided to live here?) with the lowest recorded terrestrial temperature in the Northern Hemisphere.
 * Trip to the reindeer farm at Magaras (150 km, 1–2 days)
 * Rafting along the Buotama River (5–10 days)
 * Rafting along the Blue (Синяя) River (7–10 days)
 * Rafting along the Amga River (7–14 days)
 * Winter trip to the Lena Pillars with ice fishing (1–2 days)

title: Yakutsk


text:
Yala

Yala (ยะลา) is a town in Deep Southern Thailand.

Understand
Yala is in the southernmost province of Thailand, also named Yala. Yala is a border province with an interesting history, culture, and beautiful scenery. The province has a unique mixture of cultural heritage of several groups: Thai, Chinese, and Muslim. The city centre has systematic town planning and is one of the educational centres of the south as well.

The word "Yala" was derived from the local word "yalo" meaning "fish net". Yala province used to be a part of Pattani, a colony of the Sukhothai Kingdom. In 1767 (2310 BE) when Ayutthaya fell to the Burmese, the southern colonies became independent. In 1801 (2351 BE) during the reign of King Rama I of the Rattanakosin Dynasty, the king sent his brother, Khrom Phra Ratchawangbowon Maha Surasihanat to invade Pattani. In 1933 (2476 BE) Yala finally became one of the provinces of Thailand.

By car
Yala is 1,084 km south of Bangkok by road. One can take Hwy 4 (Phetkasem Rd) from Bangkok to Prachuap Khiri Khan, and Chumphon, then onto Hwy 41 through Thung Song, Phatthalung, Hat Yai, Pattani, and Yala.

By plane
The only airport in the province is the brand new Betong International Airport, however this airport is at least 2.5 hours by road from Yala town. As of October 2022, only Nok Air uses the airport, providing twice-weekly service to Bangkok's Don Mueang airport. The journey takes 2 hours and costs THB 4500 and up. Due to the high price and inconvenient airport location, the sleeper train is a much better option.

Many airlines from Bangkok to Hat Yai. Fares usually start at THB 1000. From Hat Yai one can either take the train, bus, taxi, or air-conditioned van to Yala. This journey will also take around 2.5 hours without taking into account any travel between Hat Yai airport to Hat Yai town (at least 30 mins).

By train
Yala is 1,055 km from Bangkok by rail. The State Railway Authority of Thailand operates daily rapid and express train services from Bangkok to Yala. Trains leave Bangkok's Bang Sue Railway Station at 13:25, 15:35, and 16:00 daily (only the 16:00 train on Sundays) and take 18-20 hours (arriving in Yala at 8:50, 9:30 and 11:20 respectively). The trains have 3rd and 2nd class seating, as well as 2nd class fan and 2nd class A/C sleeper carriages. A 2nd class fan sleeper seat costs THB 740. Because of their lie-flat sleeper seats, taking the train is far more comfortable than the bus.

By bus
To/from Bangkok: Air-con buses by The Transport Co. Ltd (บริษัท ขนส่ง จำกัด (บขส.), bor-kor-sor) run between Bangkok southern bus terminal (สายใต้, sai-tai) and Yala bus terminal daily. The distance is ~1,089 km and normally takes 14 hours.

 * 24 seats VIP bus (พิเศษ, piset) costs 1,215 baht, departs from Bangkok at 17:30. On the reverse, the departure is at 14:00.
 * 32 seats Class 1 B bus (ม1พ) costs 914 baht, departs from Bangkok at 19:00 and Yala at 15:30.
 * 40 seats Class 1 C bus (ม1ข) costs 783 baht, departs from Bangkok at 17:00 and Yala at 16:30.
 * 47 seats Class 2 bus (ม2) costs 609 baht, departs from Bangkok at 14:00 and 18:00, Yala at 12:30 and 14:30.

Air-conditioned bus services are run daily between Bangkok and Yala from the Southern Bus Terminal. Departure times from Bangkok are as follows:

 * VIP Bus – 17:30.
 * Standard 1 Bus – 10:30 and 17:00.

For further information, call the Southern Bus Terminal at tel: +66 2 4351119–200.

Thai Doen Rot Co., Ltd (tel: +66 2 4357424) operates a daily bus service from Bangkok to Betong. The bus leaves the Southern Bus Terminal at 16:00.

To/from Sungai Kolok

Mini bus for 120 baht or by train for 20 baht. These modes of transport should both take 2 hours but the train may be slower.

Get around
The city is somewhat walkable, depending on how far you're going (from the train station to the city pillar shrine is a bit long, but doable). There aren't a lot of taxis, even of the motorcycle variety, but you may find some at the train station.

The big circle on the map with streets radiating out from it is not a downtown area, but a park in the suburbs that hosts the city pillar shrine (see See below).

See

 * ASEAN Java Songbird Contest (งานมหกรรมแข่งขันนกเขาชวาเสียงอาเซียน): Yala is one of the southern provinces that favor Java Songbirds. It is widely believed that Java Songbirds are good-luck charms that bring good luck to their owners, especially if the birds possess certain characteristics. The Yala Municipality Authority and Java Songbird Owner Association annually stage the ASEAN Java Songbird Contest on the first weekend of March. The first contest, held in B.E. 2529, was popular and led to an annual event held on the grounds of Suan Khwan Mueang.
 * Yala Product and Cultural Revival Festival (งานเทศกาลฟื้นฟูประเพณีและของดีเมืองยะลา): The festival is held annually on the first weekend of August on the grounds of the Yala Municipal Office. Folk cultures from the various groups in the border provinces of the south, mainly Chinese-Thai Buddhists and Thai Muslim, perform at the festival. The festival also hosts contests for Chi La Dance, Best Dressed Banong, Si Bu-nga Siri (a special kind of potpourri), Rong-ngeng Dance and Annacit Singing (in both Malay and Thai languages). Various schools in the area also present folk performances, while an exhibition of Yala's best produce is also displayed.
 * Yala Central Mosque (มัสยิดกลางจังหวัดยะลา): is the main mosque of the province in Western architectural style intertwined with the unique mosque frame. The front has about 30 wide steps leading to the upper terrace.
 * Sanam Chang Phueak Park (สวนสาธารณะสนามช้างเผือก): Used as the ground to give the king a white elephant (chang phueak) named "Phra Sawet Sura Khachathan". The park has a pavilion in the middle of a large pond and various sculpture of animals.
 * Suan Khwan Mueang (สวนขวัญเมือง): Its vast area of 207 rai has a separate sports ground and a 69 rai pond, landscaped with sandy beach and sea pines.
 * Wat Khuhaphimuk or Wat Na Tham (พระพุทธไสยาสน์วัดคูหาภิมุขหรือวัดหน้าถ้ำ): One of the three most-revered places of the south. A figure of a giant, made in B.E. 2484 and named by the villagers as “Chao Khao”, protects the entrance of the cave that houses the reclining Buddha. Inside the cave is a large chamber that has been converted into a religious area.
 * Tham Mae Nang Montho (ถ้ำแม่นางมณโฑ): Inside the cave are large connecting chambers that are mostly dark. The highlight of this place is at the end of the cave with a large stalagmite resembling the shape of a meditating lady, hence the name of the cave.
 * Tham Sin (ถ้ำศิลป์): This is a very small and dark cave with ancient mural of different postures of the Lord Buddha and a painting of three women standing together on the cave wall that has deteriorated with time.
 * Bang Lang Dam (เขื่อนบางลาง): This dam is the first multi-purpose dam in the south, on the Pattani River. It is 85 metres high with a crest of 422 metres long, and a capacity of 1,420 million cubic metres.
 * Tham Krachaeng (ถ้ำกระแชง): A cave at Ban Ka Sot, Tambon Bannang Sata, about 50 kilometres from Amphoe Mueang Yala.
 * Namtok Sukthalai or Namtok Kue Long (น้ำตกสุขทาลัยหรือน้ำตกกือลอง): It consists of five levels. The princess mother named it “Namtok Sukthalai”.
 * Namtok Than To (น้ำตกธารโต): A large waterfall with cascading water running through seven levels with pools for swimming. The surrounding forest is lush with many interesting species including Si Yala (Saraca thaipingensis Cantley ex Prain) with yellow blooms in February.
 * Namtok La-ong Rung (Rainbow Waterfall) (น้ำตกละอองรุ้ง): A slippery trek that leads along the stream from the waterfall. During the rainy season, the waterfall has the effect of the rainbow, hence the name.
 * Sakai Village (หมู่บ้านซาไก): The Sakai are an ancient nomadic tribe which existed on hunting and gathering, expert in herbal plants and using darts for hunting. The Department of Social Work has developed the village by segregating the Sakai in one area and introduced rubber planting as their occupation.
 * Namtok Bu Ke Pilo or Namtok Tawan Ratsami (น้ำตกบูเก๊ะปิโลหรือน้ำตกตะวันรัศมี): About from Mueang District, the entrance to the waterfall is about  from the village. When sunlight shines onto the water, the underwater rocks turn yellow.
 * Betong (เบตง): A Malay word meaning 'bamboo'. This district is at the southernmost point of Thailand. The Betong city centre is surrounded by mountains, resulting in a cool climate and high rainfall, with frequent fog in the morning. It is therefore dubbed "The City in the Fog with Beautiful Flowers".
 * Phra Mahathat Chedi Phra Phutthathammaprakat (พระมหาธาตุเจดีย์พระพุทธธรรมประกาศ): This chedi is built in the modern Sivijaya-style, covered in a gold color. It is high, built to commemorate the 69th birthday of the queen.
 * Suan Sut Sayam (Betong Municipality Park) (สวนสุดสยาม): Overlooks the city, consisting of ornamental plants and a flowering plants garden, aviary, health garden, sports ground, swimming pool, and playground.
 * The Largest Mail Box in Thailand (ตู้ไปรษณีย์ใหญ่ที่สุดในประเทศไทย): Built in B.E. 2467, before World War II, as a communication post for the townspeople, with a radio installed on top of the box and a mail slot below it. A new and larger box was built ( high), and is at the City Convention Hall (Sala Prachakhom).
 * Swifts (นกนางแอ่น): At dusk, the swifts fly around the city centre and come to rest on houses, buildings and electricity lines—especially on the Bell Tower that is well lit at night. The birds have become one of Betong's symbols.
 * Betong Hot Spring (บ่อน้ำร้อนเบตง): At Ban Charo Parai Village, Tambon Tano Mae Ro, about before the Betong city centre.
 * Namtok Inthason (น้ำตกอินทสร): About from Betong city centre and about  from the hot spring.
 * Piyamit Tunnel (อุโมงค์ปิยะมิตร): The tunnel was built in three months in B.E. 2519 and winds through the mountain for about —it is about wide with several entrances. It was used as the air-raid shelter and food storage area.
 * Bala-Hala Forest (ป่าบาลา-ฮาลา), or Suan Pa Phra Namaphithai Phak Tai, Section Two (สวนป่าพระนาภิไธยภาคใต้ ส่วนที่ 2): A lush rain forest with many rare plants and wildlife—especially birds. Also the home of the Sakai tribe, this forest occupies a large area at the boundary of Yala and Narathiwat.
 * Namtok Chaloem Phra Kiat Ro Kao (น้ำตกเฉลิมพระเกียรติ ร.9): In Ai Yoe Weng Sub-district, the waterfall is more than high and is surrounded by lush forest.
 * Namtok Chaloem Phra Kiat Ro Kao (น้ำตกเฉลิมพระเกียรติ ร.9): In Ai Yoe Weng Sub-district, the waterfall is more than high and is surrounded by lush forest.

Do
Because of the unrest your cell phone's SIM card may be disabled on the way down here. You will still have data access. Go to Telewiz to register your SIM in Yala. (+66 73 228900-2), you'll need to show your passport and fingerprints.

Buy

 * Shogun oranges (ส้มโชกุน): Yala's leading economic crop. They are similar to green sweet oranges, but have softer flesh.
 * Kluai Hin (กล้วยหิน): A kind of banana, similar to kluay nam wa. When boiled or glazed, it has a nutty taste.
 * Betong Noodles (หมี่เบตง): Egg noodles.
 * Betong Soy Sauce (ซีอิ๊วเบตง): A special method is used to make the sauce from soybeans.

Eat
There are street stalls and small restaurants all over Yala. Like the rest of Thailand you are never far away from food. Yala is not used to Westerners or tourists so just smile a lot and point at the food you want. Many people understand rudimentary English so say the kind of meat you want and go from there.

Drink
There are a few watering holes, but keep in mind this is a Muslim area and you may offend someone with your drinking. Alcohol is available and drunk in considerable quantities by the local non-Muslims, but getting inebriated and making a ruckus is not advisable. Prices here are very reasonable.

Connect
If you need a SIM card for your phone, you can get an AIS card and register it on the spot at the bigger of the two cell phone shops across the street from the train station. 7-Elevens in town sell TrueMove SIMs, but only if you have some form of Thai-issued identification (no foreign passports).

Stay safe
In 2004, long-simmering resentment in the southernmost Muslim-majority provinces burst into violence in Narathiwat, Pattani and Yala provinces. Some rebel groups have threatened foreigners, and three foreigners were killed in bombings in Hat Yai (in neighbouring Songkhla Province) in Sep 2006, but while targets have included hotels, karaoke lounges and shopping malls, Westerners have not been singled out for attacks. If you are polite, respectful and smile a lot you don't have much to worry about. Do not dress in overly revealing clothing. There are soldiers all over the town, but they are there to keep you safe and keep the peace. The violence was at its worst beterrn 2004-2015 and has now almost ceased. Despite still being under a state of emergency, as of 2022 these provinces are no longer a danger zone and tourists need take no special precautions travelling here.

title: Yala


text:
Yala National Park

Yala National Park (also known as Ruhunu National Park) is the most visited and second largest national park in Sri Lanka. It consists of five blocks, two of which are now open to the public; and also adjoining parks. It is in the southeast region of the country, and lies in Southern Province and Uva Province. The park covers 979 km2 (378 sq mi) and is about 300 km (190 mi) from Colombo. Yala was designated as a wildlife sanctuary in 1900, and, along with Wilpattu it was one of the first two national parks in Sri Lanka, having been designated in 1938. The park is best known for its variety of wild animals. It is important for the conservation of Sri Lankan Elephants and aquatic birds.

The western part of Yala (block one) is named as the area with highest leopard concentration in the world.

Landscape
Yala is in the lowest peneplain of Sri Lanka, which extends from Trincomalee to Hambantota. Topographically the area is a flat and mildly undulating plain that runs to the coast with elevation is 30 metres (98 ft) close to the coast while rising in the interior to 100–125 metres (330–410 ft). The national park is in the dry semi-arid climatic region and rain is received mainly during the northeast monsoon. The mean annual rainfall ranges between 500–775 millimetres (20–30.5 in) while the mean temperature ranges between 26.4 °C (79.5 °F) in January to 30 °C (86 °F) in April. It is windier in Yala, during the southwest monsoon compared to the wind during the northeast monsoon with wind speeds from 23 km/h (14 mph) to 15 km/h (9.3 mph).

Flora and fauna
Yala National Park has a variety of ecosystems including moist monsoon forests, dry monsoon forests, semi deciduous forests, thorn forests, grasslands, fresh water and marine wetlands, and sandy beaches. The area under forest cover mainly consists of Block I and rangelands of open parkland (Pelessa grasslands) including some extensive grasslands. The forest area is restricted to around the Menik River while rangelands are found towards the sea side. Other habitat types of the Block I are tanks and water holes, lagoons and mangroves and chena lands. The mangrove vegetation in the Buthuwa lagoon is largely Rhizophora mucronata while Avicennia spp. and Aegiceras spp. are less abundant. The vegetation of Block II is similar to those of Block I, and Yalawela, once a fertile paddy field, represents Pitiya grasslands. The mangroves of Block II occur around the estuary of Menik River, which extent to 100 hectares (0.39 sq mi). The common mangrove plants are Rhizophora mucronata, Sonneratia caseolaris, Avicennia spp., and Aegiceras corniculatum. The lagoons of Pilinnawa, Mahapothana, and Pahalapothana are also located in this block. The other common mangrove species are Sonneratia caseolaris, Acanthus ilicifolius, Excoecaria agallocha, and Lumnitzera racemosa. In the bare sand Crinum zeylanicum is found.

Of 215 bird species of the park, six are endemic to Sri Lanka. They are Sri Lanka Grey Hornbill, Sri Lanka Junglefowl, Sri Lanka Wood-pigeon, Crimson-fronted Barbet, Black-capped Bulbul, and Brown-capped Babbler. The number of waterbirds inhabiting wetlands of Yala is 90 and half of them are migrants. Waterfowls (Lesser Whistling Duck, Garganey), Cormorants (Little Cormorant, Indian Cormorant), large waterbirds (Grey Heron, Black-headed Ibis, Eurasian Spoonbill, Asian Openbill, Painted Stork), medium-sized waders Tringa spp., and small waders Charadrius spp. are among the common waterbirds. Black-necked Stork and Lesser Adjutant are the rare birds that can be seen in the park. The migrant Great White Pelican and resident Spot-billed Pelican are also have been recorded. Other waterbirds attracted to the Yala lagoons include Lesser Flamingo, and Pelicans, and rare species such as Purple Heron, Night herons, Egrets, Purple Swamphen, and Oriental Darter. Thousands of waterfowls migrate to the lagoons of Yala during the northeast monsoon. They are Northern Pintail, White-winged Tern, Eurasian Curlew, Whimbrel, Godwits, and Ruddy Turnstone. The visiting species mingled with residing Lesser Whistling Duck, Yellow-wattled Lapwing, Red-wattled Lapwing, and Great Stone-curlew. Rock Pigeon, Barred Buttonquail, Indian Peafowl, Black Stork, Black-winged Stilt, and Greater Flamingo are among the other bird species. Crested Serpent-eagle and White-bellied Sea Eagle are the raptors of the park. The forest birds are Orange-breasted Green Pigeon, Hornbills, Old World flycatchers, Asian Paradise-flycatcher, Asian barbets, and Orioles.

44 species of mammals are resident in Yala National Park, and it has one of the highest leopard densities in the world. The elephant herd of Yala contains 300–350 individuals. Sri Lankan Sloth Bear, Sri Lankan Leopard, Sri Lankan Elephant, Wild water buffalo are threatened species. Toque Macaque, Golden Palm Civet, Red Slender Loris, and Fishing Cat are among the other mammals that can be seen in Yala.

The reptile fauna recorded from the park is 46 and five of them are endemic: Sri Lankan Krait, Boulenger's Keelback, Sri Lankan Flying Snake, Painted-lip Lizard and Wiegmann's Agama. The coastal line of the park is visited by the all five globally endangered sea turtles (Leatherback turtle, Olive Ridley, Loggerhead Sea Turtle, Hawksbill turtle, and Green turtle) that visit Sri Lanka. The two breeding crocodile species of Sri Lanka, Mugger crocodiles and saltwater crocodiles inhabit the park. The Indian cobra and Russell's viper are among the other reptiles. There are 18 amphibians species that have been recorded from Yala while Bufo atukoralei and Adenomus kelaartii are endemic to Sri Lanka. In the water courses of Yala, 21 fresh water fishes are found. The fish population in the perennial reservoirs contain mostly exotic food fish Mozambique tilapia. The Stone sucker and Esomus thermoicos are endemic among other species. The Blackspot barb, Olive Barb, Orange chromide and Common Spiny Loach are the common fish species. Crabs and prawns include the fauna in the lagoons of the park. A variety of butterfly species is found here. The Common bluebottle, Common Lime Butterfly, Crimson Rose, Common Jezebel, and Common Mormon are the common species.

Get in
You can book a tour from any number of guest houses and hotels in the nearby town of Tissa (Tissamaharama). Most leave at 05:00 or 14:30, but it depends on if you are going for half, full day or overnight. The entrance to the park is about Rs 3,500, but it changes often. The tours should cost Rs 4,000 to 6,000 on top of the admission ticket. It is usually split between the people in the truck, but you should negotiate this. It can be expensive to do alone, so it is best to try and partner with others to increase bargaining power. The tour guides often will use you as bait for people coming off buses. It makes both your lives easier to meet the people off the buses right away, as it gets competitive and most drivers will call their friends to tell them you are coming. They all know what travellers are coming here for.

It is also possible to stay at a bungalow more near the park, but it may cost more and is a little more difficult to reach alone.

It used to be possible to enter the park from Katharagama, but that entrance is now closed.

Fees and permits
Rs 3,500 for a day pass.

A half-day trip from Tissamaharama (6 people in "luxury" jeep; entrance fees and all other taxes included) cost Rs 5000 in January 2020.

See
Yala National Park is one of the best places for sightings of wild elephants in the park is home to many animals including buffaloes, leopards, monkeys, crocodiles, wild boars and bears.

The cat's purr can be heard from a distance and is so soporific. They love to bask in the sun at the top of rocks and it's breathtaking, so take a zoom/telephoto lens.

February–June/July is the optimum time to visit when water tables are low. Leopard, elephant and many smaller animals are competing for the same drinking supply. You are likely also to see sloth bears, deer, wild boar, buffaloes, crocodiles and monkeys. Birds are in profusion – up to 130 species. The park also contains a monastic settlement, Situlpahuwa and other important centres of pilgrimage

Eat
There is a small and store at the entrance but it mostly has chips and sodas. It's best to bring your own snacks for the duration of your trip.

Sleep
There is no sleeping inside the park, For accommodations see the Tissa Tissamaharama sections.

Stay safe
Just stay in the vehicle. These are wild animals. There are crocodiles hidden everywhere, dangerous lizards, and heaps of other troublesome critters. Do not feed any animals within the sanctuary.

Also hold on - the ride gets very bumpy!

title: Yala National Park


text:
Yalıkavak

Yalıkavak is a resort in the Southern Aegean region of Turkey. It's on the peninsula 18 km northwest of Bodrum, and marketed to tourists as "Bodrum region" along with the neighbouring villages of Gündoğan and Göltürkbükü. These sprawl into each other and in 2014 their population was 14,160.

Understand
Bodrum in antiquity was important and developed a fine harbour castle. The little coves and harbours on the north peninsula had maritime trade but were of no great account, so they never attracted population, fortifications or embellishments. They were quiet fishing and sponge-diving villages until the 1980s, when Turkey and especially Bodrum attracted a mass budget tourist market. Hotels, apartment villas and holiday homes for Turkish city dwellers spread along the inlets and scrubby headlands. The villages sprawled into each other and in 1988 the township called Yalıkavak was created by combining them.

Get in
For long-distance travel see Bodrum, which has flights from Europe, and inter-city buses from Istanbul, Izmir and beyond.

Yeni Otogar the new bus terminal is 5 km northeast of Bodrum city, at the D330 junction for Torba. It might be quickest to take a taxi from there. All local buses run from Yeni Otogar to downtown Bodrum then fan out across the peninsula: the 2-6 runs to Gökçebel and Yalıkavak daily 07:00-22:00 every 30 min. The 2-22 runs to Gündoğan daily 08:00-22:00 every hour to 90 min. The 2-37 winds along the coast from Turgutreis via Gümüşlük to Gümüşkaya, Yalıkavak, Gündoğan and Göltürkbükü, daily 07:30-19:00 every 90 min.

is the main harbour on this coast, and local transport hub. However it's not a Port of Entry into Turkey so if you sail your own boat from Greek waters, you need to proceed first to Bodrum to clear immigration and customs. Both sides are vigilant for small craft dodging across the border and up to no good.

Get around
The individual villages are walkable but the resort area straggles. Dolmuşes run from Bodrum and along the coast.

See

 * are cut into the bluffs above the lane to Fenty Beach. Panormos (Πάνορμος) was a small port in the ancient realm of Caria, though its main harbour was probably on the south-facing headland coast.
 * Yalikavak Merkez Mosque is east end of the marina strip.
 * is an abandoned village, with little more than the tenacity of the whitewash holding its crumbling buildings together, a 45 min walk up a track from Yalıkavak. The developers have long had their eyes on the locality.
 * is a renovated windmill and restaurant on the road from Bodrum. Many others dot the ridges above this breezy coast, mostly from 18th / 19th century and tumbledown.
 * for example are a trio of forlorn stumps above Türkbükü, looking like forgotten chess pieces.
 * is a ruin on Küçük Tavşan Adası, Little Rabbit Island, reached by boat trip from Gündoğan. It's a basilica from the 530s AD, the reign of Justinian I and contemporaneous with Agia Sophia in Istanbul. Half the islets off Turkey are named for rabbits large or small, but the even smaller one just north is called Fener (beacon) or Mercan (coral) island, neither of which it possesses.

Do

 * Beaches: no standout, but a series of sandy coves, with little run-off from towns or rivers so they have clear waters. They also have clusters of restaurants and viewpoints over the Aegean sunset.
 * Boating is based at Yalikavak marina.

Buy

 * Lots of little convenience stores rather than big supermarkets, Şok and A101 are the main chains.
 * Yalikavak market is held Tuesday and Thursday 09:00-20:00 on Tahsildar İbrahim Efendi Cd, a couple of blocks inland from the marina.
 * Usual offerings of souvenirs including knitwear and kilims, some of them even made in Turkey. The local giftware specialty is little windmills, although not until the cat knocks them off the mantelpiece a couple of times will they resemble the real thing.

Eat

 * Yalikavak Marina is the main dining strip, with over a dozen fish and steak eateries.
 * Gündoğan and Göltürkbükü likewise have strips along their waterfront.

Drink

 * All the villages have cafes and beach bars.

Connect
Yalıkavak and the roads from Bodrum and along the coast have 4G from all Turkish carriers. As of March 2023, 5G has not rolled out in Turkey.

Go next

 * Gümüşlük southwest has retained more of its character as a fishing port.
 * Turgutreis is the largest of the resort villages on the west coast of the peninsula.
 * Bodrum is the nearby town, where the castle is now a museum of underwater archaeology.

title: Yalıkavak