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Guyana

Guyana is an English-speaking country where you can find untouched South American nature, amazing wildlife and birding experiences, rich culture and heritage, and a multiethnic Caribbean vibe. 90% of the population live along the coast, leaving the country's interior untouched, and to be explored.

Cities

 * — the largest city in and capital of Guyana with fascinating wooden colonial buildings
 * — the "Gateway to the Interior" and Guyana's rich gold and diamond mines
 * — a port city
 * — a regional administrative centre near the Venezuelan border
 * — large town with old colonial buildings
 * — a base for exploring the Kanuku and the Moco Moco mountains and falls
 * — a mining town (bauxite) near Gluck Island, an uninhabited island that is an eco-tourist destination
 * — sits on the East Bank of the Essequibo River, the country's largest river
 * — an extremely remote and undeveloped town surrounded by unspoiled rainforest
 * — a hub for the mining industry, near the Jonestown Massacre site.

Other destinations

 * — home to the islands of Leguan, Wakenaam and a host of others, some of which are not inhabited. Parika is a busy spot on Sundays, and the kick-off point for travels down the Essequibo River. The Guyanese Heritage Museum which is a hotel and museum of all things Guyanese is at Kastev. Much of the area is protected by the World Wildlife Foundation, and has been designated an area of special natural importance. However, it is believed that the Guyanese government are challenging this ruling in the hopes of opening the area to tourism.
 * Iwokrama
 * — a genuine Amazonian experience for lovers of the jungle
 * — a National Protected Area home to a rich diversity of wildlife
 * — the ruins of a Dutch fort built in 1616.
 * Marshall Falls
 * — a privately owned island retreat on the Essequibo River.
 * The Rupununi Savannah
 * Shell Beach

Understand
The name Guyana (from Arawak Wayana) means "Land of many waters."

Guyana mostly consists of rolling highlands with a low coastal plain and savannah in the south. The highest point is Mount Roraima with 2,835 m, at the border tripoint with Brazil and Venezuela.

Climate
Guyana's climate is tropical with the hot, humid conditions moderated by northeast trade winds. There are two distinct rainy seasons: May to mid-August and mid-November to mid-January. Flash floods are a constant threat during these rainy seasons.

History
It was a Dutch colony in the 17th century, but by 1815 Guyana had become a British possession. The abolition of slavery led to the purchase of some villages such as Victoria and Anns Grove, as well as black settlement of urban areas and the importation of indentured servants from India to work the sugar plantations. Today, the descendants of these indentured Indian labourers form a plurality of Guyana's population. Chinese were also imported to work on plantations but were found to be unsuitable. The colonial powers employed a system of "divide and rule" among the freed Africans and members of the other ethnic groups who were brought and encouraged to settle in the then-colony. The policy was employed even during slavery when indigenous Amerindians were used to hunt runaway slaves. The result was an ethno-cultural divide, significant elements of which have persisted to this day and have led to turbulent politics, the dissolution of attempts at national cultural development and the non-existence of anything resembling a "national identity".

Guyana achieved independence from the UK in 1966. Until the early 1990s it was ruled mostly by socialist-oriented governments. In 1992, Cheddi Jagan was elected president, in what is considered the country's first free and fair election since independence. Upon his death five years later, he was succeeded by his wife, Janet, who resigned in 1999 due to poor health. Her successor, Bharrat Jagdeo, was re-elected in 2001 and again in 2006.

The Jonestown Massacre ("don't drink the cool-aid"), led by Jim Jones occurred near the airport at Port Katuma.

Venezuela claims all of the land west of the Essequibo River, about two thirds of Guyana's territory. In December 2023, Venezuela held a referendum asking the Venezuelan electorate whether the region should become a state of Venezuela, and declared that the results showed overwhelming support for such action. About half of Venezuelans voted. This dispute, which dates from 1899, remains unresolved.

Holidays

 * Independence (from UK in 1966): 26 May
 * National holiday: Republic Day, 23 February (1970)
 * Constitution: 6 October 1980

Best time to visit
The primary wet season runs from May to July, so it’s best avoided if you’re looking for beach weather. But if you’re lucky, you may be able to spot a jaguar in the interior as they wander onto the roads searching for dry land.

For low water levels and to see caiman and otters, February to April and August to November are the best months. From late December to late January is the secondary rainy season.

Visitor information

 * Official tourism website

Visas
Foreign nationals of the following countries/territories can enter Guyana visa-free (Government website): When applying for a visa, you will need the application form, a passport valid for at least 6 months, 3 passport-size photographs and proof that you have the funds to cover your entire trip to Guyana. If your intent is to work or live in Guyana, you will need to obtain a letter of approval from the Ministry of Home Affairs, and include a copy of it in your submission. The only way to submit a visa application is through the mail. Submissions must be made to the nearest Guyanese Embassy.
 * For up to 6 months: Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Belize, Dominica, Grenada, Jamaica, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago
 * For up to 3 months: Argentina, Australia, Austria, Bahamas, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, Montserrat, Netherlands, New Zealand, North Korea, Norway, Portugal, Russia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom, United States
 * For up to 90 days: Botswana, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Hong Kong, Panama, Peru, Uruguay
 * For up to 60 days: Eswatini, Malaysia
 * For up to 30 days: South Africa, South Korea

As of 2023, a tourist visa to visit Guyana costs US$50 for up to 30 days and US$70 for up to 90 days, while a single-entry business visa costs US$50 and a multiple-entry business visa valid for 1 year costs US$150. These visas can be obtained at the nearest Guyanese embassy or consulate.

Once in Guyana you can extend your visa at the Ministry of Home Affairs in Georgetown.

Cheddi Jagan International Airport
Originally the Timehri International Airport (Timehri means "Rock Painting") it was named in honour of the indigenous displaced peoples of Guyana.

There are daily international flights into Cheddi Jagan International Airport about 40 km south of Georgetown. International flights arrive from the Caribbean (Trinidad and Tobago), Panama, Suriname, and the US with Caribbean Airlines. Caribbean Airlines is a state-owned airline run by Trinidad & Tobago. American Airlines, Caribbean Airlines, Eastern Airlines, and JetBlue fly to CJIA from New York-JFK. American Airlines and Surinam Airways fly from Miami. Surinam Airways flies from Orlando-Sanford (seasonal) and Paramaribo.

Ogle Aerodome
A small airfield slightly closer to Georgetown (~6 mi) which is for a few private charter companies, primarily used for domestic/local flights. The following companies have a few daily flights from/to Zorg-en-Hoop Airfield in Paramaribo for US$200 one-way or $330 round trip:

By train
There are no international railway services to Guyana.

By car
Guyana has road access to Suriname to the east and Brazil to the south. In Suriname, inquire in Paramaribo for mini-buses travelling to Guyana. entering Guyana by water from Nieuw Nickerie in Suriname is illegal, even though there is nobody to stop you. The worst-case scenario is that you could be sent back or made to pay for a visa. When travelling from Nieuw-Nickerie to Paramaribo over land you will most likely run into a military police roadblock near Totness, but they are after gun and drug smugglers, not tourists. Show your national ID card or a valid driver's licence and they won't even ask for your passport to check if you have the right visa stamps. It appears they don't mind you entering the country as long as you don't cause trouble and spend your money in their country.

There are no road links between Venezuela and Guyana. Travel to Venezuela may be done by air via Trinidad (Caribbean Airlines) or overland through Roraima state in Brazil.

By bus
From Suriname, there are minibuses from Paramaribo to South Drain in western Suriname, just across the river from Guyana. The trip takes at least 3 hours and costs around US$15. From there, you will go through customs on the Suriname side. Then take the 11AM daily ferry across the river to South Drain. The actual ferry ride takes about 30 minutes, but you'll need more time for going through customs on the Guyanese side.

The bus ride from Lethem, at the Brazilian border, to Georgetown takes about 10 hours through rainforest and southern savannah. The ride can be much longer in the rainy season. Sections of the roadway are known to become impassable in heavy rainy weather and extreme care must be taken.

Inquire about buses to Brazil at the Interserv Bus Office on Charlotte Street in downtown Georgetown. Buses usually leave very late at night and it is recommended that you take a taxi to the bus station as the area around there is unsafe at night. For buses from Brazil travel to Bonfim on the border and walk across the border. Find a minibus or taxi to take you to Lethem city centre and inquire about buses travelling to Georgetown.

Get around
When people in Guyana refer to buses, they mean minibuses. Minibuses travel throughout Guyana and are the cheapest way to travel. Minibus fares range from G$60-1,000 depending on the length of the journey. Travel in this mode at night could be risky.

Many parts of Guyana are separated by large rivers. These areas can be traversed by way of river taxi. Go to the port village and ask from where the speedboats launch. Ask other passengers what the fare is while travelling as boat operators tend to seek higher fees from tourists. Do not take "specials" without first negotiating the price.

Taxis are a good way to get around in Georgetown. Fares should never be more than G$500 for travel within the city and most fares should be around G$400. All taxi number plates begin with 'H.' There are set prices for taxis for different destinations, e.g. from the airport to town costs G$5,000, from the airport to Moleson Creek is G$24,000. From Ogle to downtown is G$1,500.

One can also rent cars or 4x4s; check the local telephone listings for car rentals. Consult more than one rental agency as prices can vary. You might also be able to negotiate the prices charged to some extent. Deposits are usually required. If renting a vehicle, be sure to inquire whether your driver's licence will be acceptable. Violations of traffic laws can result in much time wasted and possible trips to the local courts.

Talk
The only official language is English (with British spelling) and is spoken by all, though most people natively speak Guyanese Creole. The English spoken has a typical Caribbean accent and foreigners unfamiliar with the accent may find it hard to understand.

There are a handful of Amerindian languages spoken in the Amazonian region, most notably Arawak and Macushi.

See

 * Iwokrama Rainforest Reserve
 * Jonestown Compound. A historic site near Port Kaituma. It is wise to have a local accompany you as the area is heavily forested and is easy to get lost in.
 * Iwokrama Rainforest Reserve
 * Jonestown Compound. A historic site near Port Kaituma. It is wise to have a local accompany you as the area is heavily forested and is easy to get lost in.

Do

 * Eco-Tourism is a booming industry in Guyana.
 * Rainforest Jungle Excursions: Take a guided overnight trip starting with a boat trip down the maze of mahogany rivers to get to your overnight site.  Stay in a classic thatched roof hut, with a mosquito net at night.  Hike the Jungle trails and enjoy the jungle foods.  Stop and visit an authentic inland Amerindian rainforest village. You may pass by locals who are taking their child to school by boat.  There are a number of these tours.
 * Rainforest Jungle Excursions: Take a guided overnight trip starting with a boat trip down the maze of mahogany rivers to get to your overnight site.  Stay in a classic thatched roof hut, with a mosquito net at night.  Hike the Jungle trails and enjoy the jungle foods.  Stop and visit an authentic inland Amerindian rainforest village. You may pass by locals who are taking their child to school by boat.  There are a number of these tours.

Buy
There are numerous markets and shopping malls, in Guyana. Stabroek Market is a quaint market in Georgetown. Trips to the market for tourists are best done in groups or with a local with whom you feel comfortable. Muggings are possible but not frequent. Lots of locally made and beautiful crafts ranging from paintings; to sculpture; to leather purses, satchels, wallets; hand-painted, tie-dyed and batiked fabrics, pressed flowers, sun hats; semi-precious stones and hand-crafted costume jewellery using indigenous materials, can be purchased at an esplanade outside the Central Post-Office near the National Museum in downtown Georgetown. Ask around and you'll find out about the craft and gift shops as well as galleries.

Guyana is also noted for its exceptional gold jewellery.

Money
The local currency is the Guyanese dollar, denoted $ or G$ (ISO international currency code: GYD). The currency is freely convertible but nearly impossible to get rid of outside of Guyana, the neighbouring countries and one exchange bureau in London Gatwick airport.

Banknotes in Guyana are issued in denominations of G$20, G$50, G$100, G$500, G$1,000, G$2,000 and 5,000 and coins in Guyana are issued in denominations of G$1, G$5 and G$10. G$500, G$1,000 and G$5,000 banknotes have a holographic stripe with a colourful macaw.

 * Scotiabank and Republic bank take MasterCards at their ATMs.

Cost of living
The cost of living in Guyana is relatively very high, because most of the items used in daily life are imported with high transportation costs involved. Monopoly in some business sectors also causes higher profit and further raising of prices. For example (as of 2010) the approximate price of petrol is US$1.10 per litre, electricity price is US$0.33 per unit. A domestic gas bottle cylinder is over US$20. Rent for average family accommodation is US$500 per month in safer urban locations and personal income tax, which is 33.33% of total taxable income makes the cost of living higher still.

Eat
Guyanese food, like the entire country, is a creole fusion.

If there's a dominant cuisine, it is dishes influenced by the Indian subcontinent that have been localized. The most prominent of these are the curries, especially chicken, pork, beef, pumpkin and aubergine. Larger roti shops and those by the sea will have shrimp, crab and other seafoods. Curries are traditionally served with roti, an Indian bread or rice.

The national dish of Guyana is pepperpot, a slow cooked stew of pork (or other meats), red peppers (capsicum), cinnamon and casareep. It is dark in colour and strongly flavoured and usually reserved for special occasions such as Christmas, but you can find restaurants in Georgetown serving the dish all year round. Pepperpot is enjoyed with plain white bread or roti.

Chinese restaurants are common, with noodle dishes such as chow mein and lo mein along with meat and rice dishes. The growing Brazilian population have led to several outdoor BBQ restaurants and churrascarias opening in the capital and near the border in Lethem.

Georgetown has a greater variety of food options than elsewhere in the country, which include a couple of steakhouses, upmarket colonial dining, European fare and Indian food. In smaller towns, there may only be restaurants serving a creole menu of a few dishes, which almost always includes a curry or two and a noodle dish.

In jungle lodges, the food can be limited to tinned goods and rice, along with whatever can be caught or grown locally.

Drink
The most popular national drink is Caribbean-style dark rum. Some national favourites are XM "10" Year OLD, produced by local beverage giant Banks DIH Limited and El Dorado and X-tra Mature which both offer 5-, 10-, 12- and 25-year varieties.

El Dorado also offers a 15-year-old variety which has won the "Best Rum in the World" award since 1999. Mix the cheaper ones with Coke or coconut water if you please. All are quality enough to drink neat or by themselves with the 25-year-olds comparing with high-quality scotch whisky.

Banks Beer produced by local beverage giant Banks DIH Limited is the National beer. It comes in a lager and a stout (Milk Stout). The beverage giant also bottles and distributes Heineken Beer and Guinness Stout under licence.

Also available are the lighter Carib (Trinidad and Tobago) and darker Mackeson's. Guinness is brewed locally under licence and is a bit sweeter than its Irish counterpart, but just as good. Polar (Venezuelan) and Skol (Brazilian) can be found throughout the country. You can also find Heineken and Corona at posher bars in Georgetown.

Sleep

Georgetown has far and away the biggest range of options, but here there are a number of problems. None of the luxury options in the capital, primarily the Pegasus and the Princess, have the polish or charm to justify the hundreds of US dollars they charge. On the other end of the scale are a number of tiny guesthouses and pay-by-the-hour places with lower prices. The only backpacker option is the Tropicana Hostel, which is above a club with the slogan "All Nite Long": it's true. There are some good options in Georgetown, especially at the three- and four-star level, including the colonial option Cara Lodge and the Herdmanston Lodge. The rising Chinese and Brazilian populations in town may lead to better options.

In the interior there are some amazing jungle lodges and camps, including those at the ranches and the south and the community-supported ecolodges in the middle of the country. Other developing options are community supported huts in Amerindian towns on the Linden-Lethm road.

The adventurous could try to get by with a hammock and paying small fees to hang it up in a benab. This isn't an option in Georgetown and will involve some planning ahead, lots of bug spray and cunning to accomplish.

Some small towns have basic guesthouses, which may have fans, mosquito nets or other amenities.

 * Rainforest Jungle Excursions: Take a guided overnight trip starting with a boat trip down the maze of mahogany rivers to get to your overnight site. Stay in a classic thatched roof hut, with a mosquito net at night. Hike the Jungle trails and enjoy the jungle foods. Stop and visit an authentic inland rainforest village. You may pass by locals who are taking their child to school by boat. There are a number of these tours.

Learn
The official language of Guyana is English, so there won't be a language barrier problem with native speakers. That said, there are few education and learning opportunities in the country.

Education is free, but limited. Private schools improve the chances of students getting a good university education. There is only one university, the University of Guyana, with two campuses at Tain and Turkeyen.

There are opportunities for volunteer and paid teachers throughout the country. Pay, if there is any, will be low.

Work
Guyana has a fair number of expatriates, most of them are from developing or poor countries, working in different sectors across the country. Persons who are not Guyanese, have to get a work permit after employment is confirmed. Caribbean citizens might have some exemptions under the CSME scheme. There are a number of volunteer organisations like Project Trust, Peace Corps, VSO and CESO working in Guyana. Some people have come on short stints to volunteer with churches, and other non-governmental organizations. It is the responsibility of the host organisations or employer to arrange necessary travel/work permits from the concerned Ministry for prospective employee.

Salaries in Guyana are normally paid in Guyanese dollars. Income tax, which is one third of total taxable income, is usually deducted by employers. The overall cost of living is relatively very high, making an expatriate employee's life very difficult in Guyana.

Stay safe
Georgetown is notorious for petty street crime. Do not walk alone at night, or even in the day, unless you know the area well. Areas such as the Tiger Bay area east of Main Street and the entire southeastern part of the city including Albouystown and Ruimveldt are traditional high crime areas but one can be relatively safe in groups and with native escorts. Police are unlikely to help you unless they see the crime in action. Be sensible about wearing jewellery.

The interior regions with the breath-taking waterfalls, the beautiful rainforests and mountains are safe. Many rural areas around the country are filled with a friendly atmosphere and are safe. Crime is rarely directed at tourists, so don't feel intimidated. Just be sensible about the company you keep, where you go and how you behave.

"Sodomy" is punishable with a maximum sentence of life in prison. A local NGO reported that there were a few prosecutions, but neither the NGO nor the courts could provide numbers. It was reportedly more common for the police to use the law to intimidate suspected same-sex male partners. There are no laws concerning same-sex sexual activity between women. The health minister in a speech to a regional HIV/AIDS conference said that he “must be driven by public health reality,” that “sex between consenting adults in private falls into the category of personal freedom,” and that the law is “in contradiction of this expression of personal freedom.” Following the 2009 incident in which a judge fined several transgender persons G$7,500, an NGO and four of the individuals filed a motion in the High Court against the law criminalising cross-dressing; the case remained pending at year’s end.

One organisation SASOD organises some events to promote anti-homophobic work. There is no local gay "scene" as most homosexuals remain rather closeted. Private gatherings are known to occur to which one must be invited. Public displays of affection among gay people are frowned upon and can make you the target of overt discrimination, attacks and taunts.

Stay healthy
Do not drink the tap water, unless you want to spend a great part of your vacation on the toilet. Bottled water is readily available in a variety of brands.

Before travelling to Guyana, it is a good idea to receive anti-malarial medications from your health care provider, as malaria is widespread throughout most of the country.

Yellow fever is endemic to this area; monkeys are a reservoir, but you can catch it even in cities. Be sure to get immunized before you leave, and take mosquito repellent with you. Also be careful of malaria and dengue fever in the interior.

Although not required, it is recommended that travellers receive vaccination against Typhoid fever within 2-4 weeks prior to arriving in Guyana.

The country's largest hospital is the Georgetown Public Hospital and is in the capital. Facilities here are basic, even though it is a tertiary referral centre. Disposal of 'sharps' (needles, etc.) is improving but needs to get better, given the country's growing AIDS/HIV prevalence at 2.5% of adults or 1 in 40. Practise safe sex.

You are better off using the private facilities at St. Joseph's Mercy Hospital near the US Embassy or the Medical Arts Centre on Thomas Street. While not first rate, these facilities are far superior to GPH, practise basic hygienic standards and rooms are not overcrowded. There are also other private hospitals

For the latest in traveller's health information pertaining to Guyana, including advisories and recommendations, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention destination Guyana website.

Respect
Guyanese people do not wear shoes in their homes and expect visitors to do the same.

Discussions of the current affairs of ethnic relations between the two major races, politics and the socio-economic issues in the country ought to be undertaken with much tact and much patience. These types of discourses can sometimes lead to very heated and intense debate, and possibly something much worse. Guyanese are generally very open to discussing most issues, but as an outsider, you could be seen as a part of the problem, so guard your tongue.

Connect

 * Police +592 226 2487 emergency - 911
 * Fire +592 226 2411  emergency - 912
 * Ambulance Service  emergency - 913
 * Cheddi Jagan International Airport +592 261 2245
 * Ministry of Foreign Affairs +592 226 1606
 * Ministry of Tourism Industry & Commerce +592 226 2392
 * Guyana Telephone & Telegraph +592 225 1315
 * Licence Revenue Office +592 223 5501

Go next

 * Brazil - Access to Brazil is via Lethem. There are Interserv buses - get the schedule at the Interserv Bus Office on Charlotte Street in central Georgetown. Typically, the buses leave late at night. Another option are minibuses that ply the Georgetown-Lethem road, although the lack of paved road beyond Linden means that the trip will probably need to be broken up overnight.
 * Suriname can be reached via minibuses and a ferry, or by a short flights from Cheddi Jagan Temeri International airport or Ogle airport.
 * Trinidad and the rest of the Lesser Antilles is a short flight away via Caribbean Airlines.
 * Venezuela to the west has no direct road connection. Your best options would be to travel overland via Brazil or fly via Curaçao or Aruba.

title: Guyana


text:
Guymon

Guymon is in the Red Carpet Country region of Oklahoma.

Understand
Guymon is the county seat of Texas County, Oklahoma, United States. The population was 10,472 at the 2000 census, making it the largest city on the Oklahoma Panhandle

Sleep
The Comfort Inn located on Hwy 54 is the place to stay. Other hotels include the Days Inn across the street.

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

title: Guymon


text:
Guysborough

Guysborough is a community of about 900 people (2001) on the Eastern Shore of Nova Scotia. It is on the western shore of Chedabucto Bay, fronting Guysborough Harbour, and is the administrative seat of the Guysborough municipal district. It is home to the Alder Grounds, Boggy Lake, Bonnett Lake Barrens, and Canso Coastal Barrens Wilderness Areas.

Understand
The community is named after Sir Guy Carleton (Guy's borough).

History
The Mi'kmaq (Aboriginal) name for the village of Guysborough was Chedabuctou.

The village of Guysborough was settled by Europeans in 1634. Isaac de Razilly built a fort named Fort St François à Canso at the entrance to the harbour. In 1655, Nicolas Denys, governor of the new St Lawrence Bay Province, built Fort Chedabuctou on Fort Point to serve as his capital. The fort was replaced and renamed Fort St Louis in 1682 by the Company of Acadia to protect the fishery.

In 1682, a permanent settlement was started by Clerbaud Bergier. A group cleared land and planted crops in 1683. The Acadians in this region left in the Acadian Exodus of 1749–1755,cand those that remained were expelled by the British. British settlers renamed the town Guysborough after Sir Guy Carleton, commander of the British forces and Governor General of Canada in the 1780s. After the American Revolution, Guysborough was settled by Black Loyalists and soldiers of the disbanded Duke of Cumberland's Regiment and King's Carolina Rangers.

The town's fine natural harbour led to its establishment as the administrative centre for the county, and despite the diminishing role of the harbour for transport links, forestry, fishing and agriculture remain of great importance to the area.

Get in
Guysborough is 63 km from Antigonish: east on the Trans-Canada Highway, then south on Route 16. Maritime Bus provides service to Antigonish from Halifax and Moncton.

The nearest international airport is 275 km away in Halifax.

title: Guysborough


text:
Guyuan

Guyuan (固原; Gùyuán) is a city in Ningxia Autonomous Region.

By train
Guyuan Railway Station is 3km east of town center.
 * Lanzhou - takes about 11 hours
 * Xian - takes about 8 hours
 * Yinchuan - takes about 6 hours

By bus
Long Distance Bus Station is west of Zhongshan Street
 * Lanzhou - takes about 8 hours
 * Xian - takes about 7 hours
 * Yinchuan - takes about 4 hours (7am to 6pm, from Yinchuan South Terminal)

See

 * Huoshizhai National Geopark
 * Liupan Mountain Forest Park
 * Xiaoguan Ruins Cultural Park
 * Liupan Mountain Forest Park
 * Xiaoguan Ruins Cultural Park

Understand

 * History - Guyuan City is the route of the ancient Silk Road, but also a necessary place for the East of religion. The history of the successive introduction of Guyuan's religions is Buddhism, Taoism, Islam, Christianity, and Catholicism.
 * Climate - It belongs to the typical continental climate, forming such climatic characteristics as long cold winters, variable temperatures in spring, short summers, rapid cooling in autumn, large temperature differences between day and night, low rainfall in spring and early summer, many catastrophic weather events, and large regional differences in precipitation.

title: Guyuan


text:
Gwadar

Gwadar lies on the Arabian Sea coast of Balochistan Province in southwestern Pakistan. It is strategically located between three increasingly important regions: the oil-rich Middle East, heavily populated South Asia and the economically emerging and resource-laden region of Central Asia. The Gwadar Port is expected to generate billions of dollars in revenues and create at least two million jobs.

Understand
Gwadar has an interesting history, in that it was ruled by the Sultanate of Muscat from 1783 until 1958, when the government of Pakistan purchased the town for USD 30 million.

Get in
Karachi is the city from which Gwadar is closest and easiest accessible. You can either fly or else drive via the 653 km-long Makran Coastal Highway (N10), which runs along Arabian Sea coastline and is a scenic journey. Travel time is around 8 hours.

By bus
There are several buses shuttling between Gwadar and Karachi.

By car
Car rental companies also offer cars for fees plus a deposit.

By car
Most hotels offer rent-a-car services.

See

 * Hingol National Park- Cruising on the coastal highway approximately 190 km from Karachi you will come across Hingol National Park the largest in Pakistan. You can observe wildlife in its natural habitat and there is even a natural underground Hingol river where you can swim.
 * Kund Malir Beach- A must see place. It is the beautiful desert beach near Hingol, some 145km from Zero-Point on Makran Coastal Highway. It lies next to the huge mountains and together it give a wild look to the place. Enjoy the desert safari and breathtaking view of the desert.
 * Buzi Pass- Travelling on the Makran coastal highway about 6 km away from Kund Malir one would be struck by the sublime beauty of the smooth road of Buzi Pass as it snakes its way through the mountain. Sitting in a car on the Buzi Pass one can enjoy the vast blue water of the Arabian Sea on one side, then turn your head and marvel at the grandeur of majestic mountains on the other side. When you look at the lofty peaks along the coastal highway you will observe the princes of hope and lion of Balochistan.
 * Ormara Beach- is one of the most beautiful long beach around the edge. Amazing blue Green beaches, Golden sand, and incredible natural beauty and fauna makes it worth a visit. Stay at the beach hut at Ormara Beach Resort city.
 * Gwadar Port
 * West Bay Beach
 * Zalzala Jazeera - a small island near the coast Gwadar that emerged after an earthquake in 2013.

Do

 * Water sports - Lovers can enjoy jet skis on West Bay, wave runners machines.
 * Scuba diving - Giant fishes, turtles, stingrays have all been spotted.
 * Boating - Various cruises are available with or without packed lunches.
 * Desert Safari - On sand dunes
 * Fishing

Buy

 * Bazaars

Eat

 * Tai Pan, Chinese fare inside the Zaver Pearl Continental Hotel.

Go next

 * Karachi

title: Gwadar


text:
Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve

Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve and Haida Heritage Site (often shortened to Gwaii Haanas) is a national park reserve in Haida Gwaii in British Columbia. Gwaii Haanas protects an archipelago of 138 islands, including traditional territory of the Haida Gwaii First Nations (Indigenous) people.

Understand
The reserve covers an area of, and was established in 1988. It is in the southernmost Haida Gwaii (formerly known as Queen Charlotte Islands), 130 km (81 miles) off the mainland of British Columbia. The largest of the islands is Moresby Island and the southernmost being Kunghit Island.

Gwaii Haanas came first in a survey of US and Canadian national parks in National Geographic Traveler magazine, recognized for its pristine environment and sustainable management practices.

History
Ninstints (Nan Sdins) or SG̱ang Gwaay Llnaagay on Anthony Island, located in the southernmost part of Gwaii Haanas, just west of Kunghit Island, was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a National Historic Site of Canada in 1981. The remains of a Haida village on the eastern side of the island - SG̱ang Gwaay Llnaagay - represent an outstanding example of a traditional Northwest Coast First Nations village site, complete with standing totem poles and the remains of cedar longhouses.

Haida people have a continuing presence at SG̱ang Gwaay and four other village sites between May to September as part of the Haida Gwaii Watchmen Program. Between two and four Watchmen live at each site serving as guardians to protect the natural and cultural heritage of these sites.

Other historical villages within the boundaries of Gwaii Haanas included Cumshewa, Clew (Tanu) and Djí-gua.

Landscape
The landscapes of Gwaii Haanas vary from deep fjords to rugged mountains, salmon spawning streams to sub-alpine tundra. Close to 90% of Gwaii Haanas is forested, 9% is alpine and sub-alpine tundra. The remaining 1% is made up of lakes and wetlands.

As water drains from the highest mountains, including the rugged San Christoval Range with peaks over 1,100 metres (3,609 feet), it helps fill over 40 freshwater lakes. In turn, this water drains through more than 100 salmon spawning streams.

The reserve includes the Hotspring Island, with a hot spring.

Flora
The west coast of Gwaii Haanas can receive over 4,000 millimetres (157.5 inches) of rain annually. Extreme exposure to wind and rain makes the forests on the west coast boggy and stunted, and are dominated by western red cedar and hemlock. Forests of the leeward, or eastern side of Gwaii Haanas, are classic coastal temperate rainforests, dominant overstorey species include large western hemlock, Sitka spruce and western red cedar trees.

Fauna
Distinct island flora and fauna have evolved over thousands of years. Species here often differ from those found on the mainland. Many common continental species are not found on the islands, or have evolved into unique subspecies such as the black bear which is larger than its mainland cousin. Other species have been introduced, such as the Sitka deer, ermine, raccoon, squirrel and beaver. Introduced species now exist in large numbers, much to the detriment of native plants and animals.

An estimated 750,000 seabirds nest along the shoreline of Gwaii Haanas from May through August. Many are burrow-nesters, such as the rhinoceros auklet, ancient murrelet and tufted puffin. Bald eagles are a common sight and nest along the coastline. Because the islands are along the Pacific flyway, dozens of species of migrating birds stop here in spring and fall.

Get in
Gwaii Haanas is a remote location, accessible by sea kayak, boat or chartered floatplane only.

The park reserve has no roads and is accessible only by boat or seaplane. Most visitors – both independent travellers and people on guided tours – use communities on nearby Graham and Moresby Islands as a starting point. All visits to Gwaii Haanas require trip permits, with excursions lasting anywhere from a day to a week or more.

Fees and permits
An orientation is provided to all visitors before they enter Gwaii Haanas.

If you are planning to travel with a guide, reserve directly with your selected tour operator. Your guide will deliver the orientation during the trip.

Independent travellers must make a reservation by calling toll free, M-F 8:30AM-4:30PM.

July and August are the busiest periods and the number of visitors allowed to enter Gwaii Haanas each day is limited.

Daily excursion/camping fees May 1-Sep 3 (2024): Seasonal passes are available for less than the cost of 6 day passes, or 3 if you purchase before April 30.
 * Adult $26
 * Senior $22
 * Youth and children free

Buy, eat, and drink
There are no facilities in the park reserve.

Camping
Gwaii Haanas has no formal campsites, but many small pebble beaches, sandy stretches, and headlands. Please leave each place as you found it, and try to stay out of sight and sound of other groups. Some areas are permanently or temporarily closed to camping/access.

Whenever possible, camp on the sand or rock above the high tide line to minimize impact to local vegetation. Choose a spot for gathering and cooking that is least likely to damage shoreline vegetation. Camp away from the mouths of streams, especially during salmon spawning season (mid-August on).

Use a portable stove to cook your food. Keep any campfires below the high tide line and away from drift logs. Use driftwood for your firewood, not understory branches. Keep the fire small so it burns to ash and the next incoming tide will wash it away. Remove charcoal and scatter any rocks used for a hearth. Do not stir the ashes into the sand and gravel, as they will then take longer to wash away.

Wash your dishes in the ocean with biodegradable soap and sand as a natural scrubber. After eating, immediately burn food scraps or bag them securely for packing out. Return fish entrails to the sea. Bears and other animals are quickly attracted to kitchen waste, even if it has been buried. Improperly handled food waste can create a dangerous situation for the next camper. Bring ropes and a food storage system to hang food out of reach of animals.

Reduce the amount of garbage you create. Plan meals so that you don’t have a lot of uneaten food. Choose packaging that is lightweight, compact, and reusable. Pack out all garbage. Burn toilet paper and paper in your campfire, but do not burn cans, foil, or plastics, or throw these and other garbage into the ocean.

For your time, use the intertidal flush. Make your deposit as close as possible to the water line, and cover with a rock afterwards so others do not step on it. Micro-organisms in the marine soil effectively decompose faeces.

If you have no alternative, you can use the bush. Dig a small 20-cm (8-inch) deep hole away from animal trails and at least 100 metres/yards from water sources. Bury waste completely with soil. Never bury toilet paper or feminine hygiene products. Treat feminine hygiene products as garbage and pack out.

Use small amounts of biodegradable soap when bathing. Select a location near the mouth of the stream and downstream from any place where people gather water for drinking.

Most areas that visitors find suitable for camping have historically been used by the Haida. These locations have important ecological, spiritual, and archaeological values. Treat each campsite as an archaeological site. Do not dig through middens or otherwise disturb any historical features.

Before you leave your campsite: dismantle beach furniture. Put logs and rocks back in random positions. Pick up all garbage including the tiny pieces like twist ties, paper fragments, and tent pegs.

title: Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve


text:
Gwalior

Gwalior is a historic city in Madhya Pradesh. Gwalior's history is reflected most famously in its fort, but also in the architecture of other buildings, and in addition, the city is known as a centre of Indian classical music.

Climate
Gwalior is also known for its extreme climate. In winter the mercury may dip to 1°C, and on hottest summer days it may rise to 48°C. But normally, winter temperature ranges between 6°C and 21°C, while summer temperature hovers between 24°C and 45°C. Rainy season starts in the third week of June with Monsoon rains washing central India. The rains gradually become weak during September and the wet season ends in the last week of September.

The best season to visit Gwalior is pre-winter and spring, with the best months being September to November and February to March. It is very hot from April to August, when sightseeing is inadvisable.

By plane

 * Air India, provides services to Delhi and Mumbai.
 * Air India, provides services to Delhi and Mumbai.

By train
Gwalior is very well connected to major cities across India by direct train links. You can reach Gwalior from India's capital New Delhi, in 3 hours by the New Delhi-Bhopal Shatabdi Express (India's fastest train). This city is directly connected to Jammu, Chandigarh, Amritsar, Dehradun, Ahmedabad, Nagpur, Mumbai, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Chennai, Thiruvananthapuram, Kanyakumari, Vishakhapatnam, Patna and Kolkata.

Gwalior railway station is a major station. Reserving a train ticket is fully computerized and can be done at the railway station itself or online on the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation website. Auto rickshaws and Tempos (shared auto rickshaws) are available from the station to most parts of the city 24 hours. There is a pre-paid booth at the railway station for hiring an auto-rickshaw. It is advised to negotiate the fare before hiring one. Taxis are also available at the railway station.

By road
Gwalior is situated on the north–south corridor of National Express Highway. National highway No.3 (Agra-Mumbai road) connects Gwalior to Delhi, Agra, Indore and Mumbai. National Highway No.75 connects Gwalior to Jhansi.

Get around
For moving in the area around Gwalior Fort, either autos or bike rickshaws work. Walking is also viable if you have time.

By tempos
Tempos are the cheapest way to move inside the city, but you may need to share them with other passengers.

By auto
Costlier than tempos but convenient for going to internal parts of city. Remember, auto rickshaws in Gwalior do not have fare meters. So, never forget to negotiate the fare before hiring one.

By bus
Buses are available to visit nearby places as well as for travelling to different cities. These buses are available from the bus stand near the railway station. M.P., Rajasthan, U.P, State Roadways Corporation have a number of bus services connecting to cities and towns around Gwalior. Some private operators also have luxury bus services on selected routes starting from various parts of the city.

See

Do

 * Cricket: a new stadium (capacity 50,000) is under construction in Shankapur village in the west of the city, and might open in 2023. Meanwhile matches are played at Captain Roop Singh Stadium.
 * Go to the Sun City. If you are visiting in winter, you can go to the famous annual Trade Fair and shop. You can also enjoy beautiful Indian classical music both (vocal and instrumental) at 'Tansen Music Festival' during the winter.

Buy

 * Handicrafts and stone art are local specialities.
 * DD Mall at MLB Road is very big and has local branches of McDonalds and Domino's, in case you were looking for that; a Multiplex; and shops selling brand-name merchandise.

Eat
Gwaliorites like to have a good breakfast with kachories or samosas served with potato curries and chutneys and then there are sweets as jalebies and rabdi. Also try out gazak, made up of jaggery and sesame seeds and available during winter time.

Go next

 * Agra (128 km) - Famous for Taj Mahal, Red Fort.
 * Bhind (64.0 km) - Famous for Chambal river and its bandits, chhatri of Malhar Rao Holkar.
 * Datia (75 km) - Famous for temples.
 * Jhansi, around 100 km from Gwalior - famous for Rani Jhansi Fort.
 * Orchha, around 120 km from Gwalior.
 * Shivpuri (119.5 km) - Ancient town and a sacred place.
 * Sonagir (60 km on the Jhansi road) - famous for Jain temples.

title: Gwalior


text:
Gwangju

Gwangju (광주, 光州) (means city of light), (formerly Romanized as Kwangju) is a metropolitan city in the center of South Jeolla province, South Korea. Gwangju has a thriving youth and arts culture and even a glance down the streets of 'Geumnam-ro' will note a generally more fashion-conscious populace. Further to this, the city has numerous art galleries and hosts a biennial Bienalle.

It is the only city in the world with a mountain more than 1,000 m difference from the average altitude of the city in the administrative district of the city where more than 1 million people live. It is common for a city to be located in a km-class highland, such as Tehran, Iran, and Mexico City, but Gwangju Metropolitan City is the only city with such a large altitude difference within the city's administrative district. Geographically, the fact that there is a 1,000-m mountain in the city is an absolute disadvantage for the city itself to grow and does not exist elsewhere. However, Gwangju Metropolitan City is in the volcanic basin plain, which is possible because the topography of this plain is vast.

Understand
The city has an interesting claim to fame as having the largest and most modern bus terminal (called U-Square) and possibly the largest single pedestrian drinking, dining and clubbing district in the country. This is reflective of the city in general, which holds a much more modern and cleaner appearance than anywhere else in the country, save perhaps Busan.

In Korea, Gwangju is famous for its cuisine as is the province of Jeolla. The entire area had been considered the breadbasket of Korea historically. On the practical side, food is generally tastier and easier on the wallet throughout this province.

"What? Those Gwangju citizens aren't afraid of airborne troops? They must be rioters!"

- South Korean military dictator Chun Doo-hwan

Gwangju is well known in South Korea for the Gwangju Massacre (aka the Gwangju Uprising, the May 18 Democratic Uprising or the Gwangju Democratization Movement) of May 18, 1980, in which at least 207 (or far higher depending on whom you ask) demonstrators were killed by the army in the course of suppressing a pro-democracy demonstration. Gwangju was seen as the forefront of the democracy movement in South Korea. The people of the city are proud of the uprising and tend to be at the forefront of any political upheaval in the country.

Climate
Gwangju lies between a subtropical and humid continental climate zones. November to April tend to be more continental, while warmer months are more subtropical with hot, humid summers. There are monsoon conditions in June and July and an average of nonheavy snow during winter.

As of mid-November 2022, Gwangju Metropolitan City and Jeollanam-do have been confirmed to have fallen below 30% due to the worst drought since 1973, and some parts of Jeollanam-do have not been able to supply normal water for more than six months, so they are living with limited water supply or transportation. As a result, all 12 cities and counties across Gwangju and Jeollanam-do are complaining of water conservation by reaching the "warning" stage, which is the fourth of the five stages of drought for living water, and Gwangju is likely to receive limited water in 30 years around January to March 2023.

Orientation
Gwangju sits roughly 267 km (165 miles) the south of Seoul and about 202 km (125 miles) the west of Busan.

Chungjang-ro and Geumnam-ro streets to the center are Gwangju's conventional shopping and entertainment downtown and the main office building area. U-Square (Gwangju Bus Terminal) area, Chonnam National University Back Gate Area, and Cheomdan & Suwan & Pungam Districts are transportation nodes, comparatively new shopping areas and entertainment downtowns, while Sangmu district is the new office building area.

Mudeungsan National Park lies to the east, and Daechon-dong Countryside is in the south of Gwangju. To the west is Songjeong town where the Gwangju International Airport and Gwangju Songjeong Station are.

The district of Chungjang-ro and Geumnam-ro streets, which is the old urban core, is the most accessible area for foreigners, and many of Gwangju's attractions can be found here, making it a good base to start exploring the city.

Tourist information
To pick up a map you can visit the information desk in stations or landmarks. Information is provided by interpreters in English, Japanese, and Chinese. For tourist information dial (with no prefix number) from within Gwangju. For district tourism offices please see

By plane

Muan Int’l Airport is located in the west Jeolla province area and it is near Gwangju. There is the only one flight from Jeju per day. Its average price ranges between ₩64,100 and ₩76,200 (May 2017) As the international airport, Muan Airport operates some direct international routes from Shanghai and Beijing, China.

Some travelers find it easier and cheaper to take a direct bus from Incheon International Airport instead (about 4 hours), Gimhae International Airport in Busan (under 3 hours), and Muan Int’l Airport (about 35 min) as well.

Gwangju Airport is located in the suburbs of Gwangju. But in the front of the airport, there are many mass transits to reach downtown simply, such as subway, intra-city bus, taxi, and so forth.

By train
Korail's KTX trains or SR, Inc.'s SRT run from Seoul 20~23 times a day and are the quickest option for travelers wanting to go to Gwangju from Seoul. The trip takes 1½-3 hours and the cost is ₩46,800-65,500. In the case of SRT, it takes 1½ hours, the cost is ₩40,400-58,800.

There are several stations to go to Gwangju from Seoul metropolitan city areas, such as Incheon Int’l Airport Station, Yongsan Station, Seoul station, Suseo Station, and Gwangmyeong Station. Incheon Int’l Airport operates Airport Railroad and Airport Limousine Bus from Incheon Int’l Airport to these stations.

The homepage of SRT (SR, Inc) is not supported for other languages yet (May 2017) For foreigners, the tickets can be purchased on site or use Korail trains.

Trains mainly depart from Yongsan or Suseo Station in Seoul, not the main Seoul Station.

The KTX Honam line takes you from Seoul to Gwangju in 90 minutes.

For more details about SRT, check Koject's article out.

By bus
Gwangju has a highly developed bus network because of Kumho Express, which is headquartered in Gwangju. Express buses between Seoul and Gwangju depart every 5 to 15 minutes all day long.

Buses from major cities throughout the country arrive and depart from “U-Square” (Gwangju Bus Terminal), a large, fancy bus terminal near the geographic center of the city. The largest and fanciest in the country to be precise: this place looks like an airport. Every taxi driver in Gwangju knows the bus terminal as 버스 터미널, "Beosuh Teo-mee-nal", or “U-Square”. Seoul Gangnam to Gwangju prices are ₩17,600 or ₩37,200 (May 2017) for the standard bus and premium limousine buses, respectively, and the trip takes about 3 or 4 hours. Prices to other cities are comparable; late night buses tend to be a little more expensive.

Get around
Getting around in Gwangju is really quite easy, though rush hour significantly adds to travel time. There are two basic options: buses and taxis. Taxis are generally cheap but buses are frequent and more or less comfortable. Gwangju Subway line stretches from the southeast near downtown to the west-southwest, forming an arc with the northernmost point being near the bus terminal at Nongseong Station (농성역 - Nongseong Yeok). The subway line is not spread over the city, but the trains go through some busy streets. Moreover, Gwangju subway is never overcrowded as much as Seoul.

By subway
The subway is also cheap - ₩1400 in cash and ₩1250 in transportation card to any location (March 2017). The four main stops on the subway (though there are 20 in total) are the Culture Center (Munhwajeondang, former Provincial Office), Geumnamno-4 & 5 (pedestrian downtown), and Sangmu (the unofficial commercial center and western-style downtown area). To get to the bus terminal, exit at Nongseong Station (농성역 - Nongseong Yeok) and walk straight north (10 minutes) past E-Mart and Shinsegae department store. The bus terminal is juxtaposed to those two buildings. To take a train, take the subway to Songjeong-ni station and follow the signs for the train station. The second subway line that will eventually form a circle around the city will break ground towards the end of 2025. Eventually, there will be three lines in Gwangju.

By bus
Intra-city bus fare is the same as the subway: ₩1400 in cash and ₩1250 in transportation card. Buses are arranged by colors. Red buses are express buses, running often, making very few stops, and covering large parts of the city. Bus number 순환01 (Sunhwan01) connects Sangmu area to the train station to Chosun University. Buses 풍암06 (Pungam06), 진월07 (Jinwol07), and 첨단09 (Cheomdan09) cover the rest of the city making large squares that intersect in important locations. 좌석02 (Jwaseok02) connects Jeungsimsa Temple to Asia Culture Center to Gwangju & Jeonnam Joint Innovation City and passes through Gwangju's main commercial areas, such as Geumnamno street, Songjeong Station, and Sangmu district. 좌석02 is a little bit expensive than the other buses: ₩1800 in cash and ₩1700 in transportation card. Yellow buses are standard buses that run every 10 – 20 minutes. Green buses are village buses that connect smaller communities and rural areas to transfer points. Purple buses are district circulator buses, generally going to the outskirts of the city. Every neighborhood (동 - dong) to main locations around the city.

By taxi
Taxis are incredibly cheap (by western standards). A general and regular taxi ride will cost ₩2800 for the first two kilometers then ₩100 per 145m or 35s after that. 모범택시(Deluxe taxi, Mobeom-taeksi) ride will cost ₩3200 for the first two kilometers then ₩200 per 172 m or 41 seconds after that. From 00:00-04:00, you will pay 20% extra as late hour premium.

On a traffic-free night, you can get across the city for around ₩10,000. Black taxis have a higher surcharge than white or silver taxis but due to the fact they charge on distances only, tend to drive more unpredictably.

By car
Driving and parking in Gwangju are easier than other big cities in Korea. The roads are wide and drivers tend to be pretty inoffensive. The parking chaos seldom emerges except for busy streets. If you are willing to pay for commercial lots in the downtown, parking problem would be no trouble at all.

The reason why Gwangju has been prospered in modern times is, the city was constructed as a central part of South Jeolla. Thereby, if you are coming to explore the area around Gwangju (such as going down to Boseong) then the flexibility of driving yourself will help you enjoy it more.

By bicycle
The topography of Gwangju is flat widely, so moving somewhere in the city by bike is quite agreeable. However, South Korean do not tend to have a bicycle culture commonly, the bikeways in the city are not well-kept except for some areas. There are two places that have fine bike lanes in the urban area; one is Gwangju stream embankment and the other one is Pu-reun-gil park.

Gwangju City established a system of renting bikes for free. All you have to do is go to any metro station with your passport (and a valid phone number). They will hand you a key and a bike that you can use throughout the day. You will have to leave your passport or ID at the station and you will get it back when you bring back the bike.

If you are looking for the bike rental shop, there are two stores in Gwangju.

You may, however, need a Korean-speaking friend to help you with registration or troubleshooting. Once you want to borrow a bike, the rental shop may ask you to leave your passport or something precious thing as a guaranty.

On foot
When it comes to Gwangju's district, there are major areas suitable for pedestrians such as the downtown (Geumnam-ro and Chungjang-ro Streets), the neighborhood of Chonnam National Univ. (mostly around the back gate), Sangmu district, U-square, and so forth. These districts are the commercial and public transit hub of the city and clustered together in a way that makes walking around them possible.

Wherever you are in the city, you can see a huge mountain, Mt. Mudeungsan, on the east side. Choose the direction depends on the mountain's location.

There's usually a bus stop within a five- to ten-minute walk in any direction.

Gwangju is mostly flatlands, walking around the city is quite easy.

Numerous mountains and parks with hiking trails can be found in the city.

Talk
English in Gwangju is not quite as widely understood as it is in Seoul, although people would still know enough to help you out. Taxi drivers are unlikely to have much English knowledge, although there is a translation service the taxi driver can call up if needed. Gwangju also has a distinct dialect different to Seoul. Even if you are pretty good at Korean, understanding conversation between natives would be difficult. They will use standard Korean dialect with foreigners.

See
Travelers coming to Gwangju can experience a slower paced experience than Seoul, despite still feeling the Ppalli Ppalli (빨리 빨리 - hurry hurry) lifestyle of Korea. Gwangju also serves well as a good hub for touring the surrounding province of South Jeolla.

Dong-Gu (동구, East District)

 * Asia culture center Gwangju metropolitan city 20190521 083502.jpg
 * On every Saturday from April to October, an art party is held in Art Street. The festival features a variety of programs for citizens and children to enjoy, such as puppet show, magic show, bubble show, and more. Over 40 participatory events with free admission include 3D printing, flower art, plaster hand printing, leather crafts, art therapy, music therapy, etc.
 * On every Saturday from April to October, an art party is held in Art Street. The festival features a variety of programs for citizens and children to enjoy, such as puppet show, magic show, bubble show, and more. Over 40 participatory events with free admission include 3D printing, flower art, plaster hand printing, leather crafts, art therapy, music therapy, etc.

Seo-Gu (서구, West District)

Nam-Gu (남구, South District)

 * Observatory in the Sajik Park.jpg
 * Observatory in the Sajik Park.jpg

Gwangsan-Gu (광산구, Gwangsan District)
For more details, check Gwangju Tourism Info Center out.
 * After passing the Gwangsan-gu district office, turn right. On days ending with a 3 or 8 (03, 08, 13, 18, etc.) there is a five-day interval traditional market (송정 시장 - Songjeong shijang) where produce prices are roughly 1/3 of the supermarket prices. Additionally, there is Tteokgalbi street, famous for its Tteokgalbi. In case you're wondering what Tteokgalbi is, it's minced beef ribs made into patties and served in the typical meat and leaves barbecue that embodies much of Korean cuisine. It's a bit on the pricey side for Korean restaurants, ₩11,000-16,000.
 * After passing the Gwangsan-gu district office, turn right. On days ending with a 3 or 8 (03, 08, 13, 18, etc.) there is a five-day interval traditional market (송정 시장 - Songjeong shijang) where produce prices are roughly 1/3 of the supermarket prices. Additionally, there is Tteokgalbi street, famous for its Tteokgalbi. In case you're wondering what Tteokgalbi is, it's minced beef ribs made into patties and served in the typical meat and leaves barbecue that embodies much of Korean cuisine. It's a bit on the pricey side for Korean restaurants, ₩11,000-16,000.
 * After passing the Gwangsan-gu district office, turn right. On days ending with a 3 or 8 (03, 08, 13, 18, etc.) there is a five-day interval traditional market (송정 시장 - Songjeong shijang) where produce prices are roughly 1/3 of the supermarket prices. Additionally, there is Tteokgalbi street, famous for its Tteokgalbi. In case you're wondering what Tteokgalbi is, it's minced beef ribs made into patties and served in the typical meat and leaves barbecue that embodies much of Korean cuisine. It's a bit on the pricey side for Korean restaurants, ₩11,000-16,000.
 * After passing the Gwangsan-gu district office, turn right. On days ending with a 3 or 8 (03, 08, 13, 18, etc.) there is a five-day interval traditional market (송정 시장 - Songjeong shijang) where produce prices are roughly 1/3 of the supermarket prices. Additionally, there is Tteokgalbi street, famous for its Tteokgalbi. In case you're wondering what Tteokgalbi is, it's minced beef ribs made into patties and served in the typical meat and leaves barbecue that embodies much of Korean cuisine. It's a bit on the pricey side for Korean restaurants, ₩11,000-16,000.

Hike

 * Wonhyosa Temple.jpg get to mount Mt. Mudeungsan, take the subway east to Hakdong and follow the signs. Additionally, cleverly labeled bus 1187 (the height of meters of Mudeungsan) goes straight there. Catch 1187 from the bus terminal, among other places and hold on tight: the road may be twisty and thin but that doesn't mean it'll be a slow ride.
 * Wonhyosa Temple.jpg get to mount Mt. Mudeungsan, take the subway east to Hakdong and follow the signs. Additionally, cleverly labeled bus 1187 (the height of meters of Mudeungsan) goes straight there. Catch 1187 from the bus terminal, among other places and hold on tight: the road may be twisty and thin but that doesn't mean it'll be a slow ride.

Eat
As the nickname, ‘The City of Gourmets’, Gwangju features numerous special cuisines for visitors. The reason why there are no 'King' restaurants in Gwangju is all of them are well known in the country and placed higher than standard quality basically.

Local specialties
There are dishes you should try in Gwangju that is not typically available in other parts of Korea.

 * You can find occasionally restaurants dealing in Tteok-galbi in downtown, but mainly located in the front of Songjeoung Station. It is quite close to the stores from the station but can be a little bit hard to find to a first-time visitor. The phrase “Tteok-galbi-jip eodie is-seoyo? (떡갈비집 어디에 있어요?)”, means “Where is the Tteok-galbi store?”, or alternatively 'Tteok-galbi-jip chat-go-is-seoyo. (떡갈비집 찾고 있어요.)' has the same meaning. The pedestrian will help you gladly.
 * You can find occasionally restaurants dealing in Tteok-galbi in downtown, but mainly located in the front of Songjeoung Station. It is quite close to the stores from the station but can be a little bit hard to find to a first-time visitor. The phrase “Tteok-galbi-jip eodie is-seoyo? (떡갈비집 어디에 있어요?)”, means “Where is the Tteok-galbi store?”, or alternatively 'Tteok-galbi-jip chat-go-is-seoyo. (떡갈비집 찾고 있어요.)' has the same meaning. The pedestrian will help you gladly.

Han-jeongsik (한정식; Korean Table d'hote)

Han-jeongsik is derived from Joseon dynasty's royal table. Gwagnju-Jeolla province has been regarded as the top-flight of it. The Gwangju table d’hote features all sorts of seafood, selected ingredients and, plentiful side dishes.

The restaurant offers two main choices of 임금님 수라상 (Imgeumnim sura-sang) and the 떡갈비 수라상 (Tteokgalbi sura-sang). Along with the main course, more than 18 side dishes are served together with restaurant's signature red yeast steamed rice. Guests can order add-ons such as a steamed pork dish served with kimchi, spicy seafood, and steamed pork, or smoked duck. Meals from ₩12,000
 * Mid-range - Haengbok-han-Imgeumnim (행복한 임금님; Happy King restaurant)

The course comes with 30 dishes or so, including Gulbi-gui (grilled corvina), Hongeo-hoe (raw skewed skate), Galchi-jorim (braised cutlassfish), Bossam-kimchi (wrapped kimchi with steamed pork), Jeotgal (salted seafood), and so forth. A kilometer to the right from the main entrance of Mudeung Park Hotel (무등파크호텔).
 * Splurge - Myeongseon-heon About (명선헌)

International food
The international food in Gwangju is somewhat expensive than the other cities. You can choose only mid-range option or more.

Drink
There are several major "Good-to-Carouse" areas in Gwangju.

In Gu-sicheong (구시청; next to ACC and Chungjang district) you can hang out with young people, mostly early to mid-twenties. However, the place is regarded as a meat-market. You should not expect to speak in English in that area. Some pubs or bars are “clean”, but it will take some pains to find out.

Sangmu district is also considered as a meat-market, but Friday night and weekend only. Late 20s to early 30s office workers are the main users.

Chonnam National University's back gate is a bendering & amusement place. The users consist of students mainly. The back gate of Chosun Univ. is almost the same, but the scale of the former one is bigger.

Suwan, Cheomdan, and Yongbong district are entertainment districts as well, but that are somewhat far from the downtown.

The following are several popular foreigner-friendly bars (though all will cater to foreign customers) in Gwangju.

Budget
The cheapest place to sleep anywhere in Korea is at the local Jjimjil-bang (찜질방; Korean dry sauna). This is a kind of public bathhouse that has a communal room for sleeping on the heated floor. Expect sauna access, cotton pyjamas, a locker to put your stuff in and a price under ₩10,000. There's a bare possibility that is robbed by the thief when you're sleeping but, Be Vigilant at least.

Mid-range
Gaudy motels abound in Korea, and this is no less true in Gwangju. The main concentration of motels is in and around Sangmu district, between the Sangmu and Uncheon subway stops, or at the front of Gwangju station, and Cheomdan district, near the Lotte Mart. Motels can range from ₩30,000-50,000 and tend to be very seedy. One can judge the quality of a "love" motel by the movie selection usually proudly displayed near the cashier and the vending machines located throughout the motel.

If you want ‘Not-bad-Motel’, check 'Goodstay' accommodation lists out that is endorsed by the Korea Tourism Organization.

Splurge
There are two quite reputable hotels in Gwangju. One is the Ramada Plaza Gwangju in Sangmu where a room can generally cost around ₩100,000 a night. The other, near Mount Mudeungsan, is the Shinyang Park Hotel . The Sangmu Ramada is more conveniently located for business, whereas the Shinyang Park Hotel offers a more peaceful and quiet stay.

Holiday Inn in Gwangju is located in Sangmu district. The hotel is regarded as the most luxurious accommodation in the city. It has a good view and is known for nice breakfast. From about ₩130,000 a night.

ACC Design Hotel is a hotel in the downtown. It is located in the middle of downtown, right next to Wooribank (우리은행). Rooms from ₩77,800

Learn
Some universities in Gwangju provide Korean language programs for foreigners.

Connect
Emergency numbers:

Stay safe
Generally speaking, Gwangju is as safe as most places in South Korea, which is to say very safe.

Gwangju is especially very safe to roam around freely at night and all day long. There isn't a single dangerous area in town.

There is no any gang activity in Gwangju. Sometimes, you can see delinquent pre-high school-aged boys in dim alleys or parks. However, they couldn't care less about you. The boys are just interested in smoking or drinking surreptitiously and chit-chat with themselves. If you are a well-built man or woman, they will just gaze in awe at you. Just ignore them – they wouldn't actually want to have a conversation with you because they do not speak English well.

Unlike in some other cities, Gwangju's stations and metro areas are not dangerous. Just keep away from extremely intoxicated people.

Rush hour and traffic congestion are of short duration and not as severe as in other cities. Drivers in Gwangju are somewhat gentle. Just watch out when you cross the road.

You don't have to worry about natural disasters. Sometimes storms or torrential rains come, but they are not severe.

Gwangju's tap water is "drinkable" however residents tend to boil their water or purchase affordable bottled water, or fill their own bottles at local parks or at the mountain springs that surround the town. Korean are just unfamiliar to the flavor of tap water because finding mineral water has been accessible in the land before.

There are occasionally sand storms and fine dust from China covering Gwangju. You should avoid going outside if one passes through, or wear a mask.

Consulate
For quick responses, you should get your country's Embassy contact details in Seoul.

 * 🇨🇳 China

Government websites
The Gwangju government websites often provide useful tourist information in English, Chinese, and Japanese. You can get the information about the city, tourism, living, and so forth.

Cultural center

Cleaning services will exist at high-end hotels, otherwise, find a local dry-cleaner by looking for the sign Setak (세탁).

Go next
Head north, to Jeonju, the birthplace of bibimbap, to see it's well-preserved Hanok village, or perhaps take a train or bus south to the coastal towns of Mokpo and Yeosu respectively.

If in the season, the iconic world famous green tea plantations of Boseong are also a very short hop away to the west. You've likely seen this place on someone's computer desktop.

Unjusa, about 40 km south of Gwangju, is one of the most famous temples in Korea.

title: Gwangju


text:
Gwangju (Gyeonggi)

Gwangju  (광주, 廣州) is a city in Gyeonggi Province, South Korea about 10 miles southeast of eastern Seoul. It is not to be confused with the Gwangju in South Jeolla province, with which it shares the same pronunciation but different Chinese characters. Gwangju in Gyeonggi is a smaller, more rural town that can arguably be included in the Seoul metropolitan area. Small businesses, factories, farms, and the rugged terrain are part of the city's identity. But because of the manufacturing industry, there is also a notable foreigner presence in Gwangju that has given a slight international feel to the community.

Understand
Gwangju's history has been tied to that of Seoul's. Close to historic Icheon, the city was an important part of ceramic production in Korean history and many royal artifacts can be traced back to Gwangju. In a more modern sense, Seongnam has been a part of Gwangju for a long time, but now Seongnam is separated after the riot of the poor residents in 1971. Gwangju is very well connected to the rest of the Gyeonggi province and a stop over may be worth your time to explore some history and experience some nature.

Get in
While a subway line is being constructed, the only current way to easily get to and from Gwangju is bus. From Incheon International Airport there is an Airport Limousine that makes multiple trips day. Just make sure you are going to the Gwangju in the Gyeonggi province and not the South Jeolla province Gwangju.

From the Jamsil area of Seoul, the red 500-1 bus goes directly to Gwangju. From the Gangnam district, take the red 500-2. These two buses don't go through the city center until late at night, however.

From Gangbyeon station, take the red 1113-1. This bus DOES go through the city center multiple times a day.

Get around
There are dozens of local buses that run around Gwangju all day and taxis are also a very inexpensive option. The city is very pedestrian friendly and sidewalks abound!

Drink
There is a Wa-Bar that is popular with ex-pats

title: Gwangju (Gyeonggi)


text:
Gwangmyeong

Gwangmyeong (광명,光明) is in Gyeonggi province in South Korea, a satellite city designed to decentralize Seoul's residential functions. It borders Seoul's Geumcheon-gu on the east, Seoul's Guro-gu on the north, Siheung-si and Bucheon-si on the west and Anyang-si on the south.

Understand
Gwangmyeong-si belongs to Siheung County with the southwestern part of Seoul from the Joseon Dynasty and was promoted to Gwangmyeong City in 1981.

The gureum-san mountain, which is the end of the Gwangju mountain range, and the hill in Dogo are in the center of the city, but Gwangmyeong is a low plain terrain as a whole.

KTX Gwangmyeong Station was opened in Iljik-dong (일직동).The telephone number uses the same 02 as Seoul. The city hall is in Cheolsan-dong (철산동), with 18 administrative districts.

Climate
Gwangmyeon's climate is very similar to that of nearby Seoul. It features continental climate. Gwangmyeong is an inland city, so it has the characteristics of a land map.

Get in
Nearby cities include Bucheon to the west, Anyang to the east, Siheung to the south, and Seoul to the north.

By metro
Gwangmyeong is located on Subway Line 1 and 7. Travel times to the center of Gwangmyeong (Cheolsan station):

 * From Seoul Station (Seoul, Line1): 1 hr
 * From Express Bus Terminal Station (Seoul, Line7): 30 min
 * From Incheon Station (Incheon, Line1): 1 hr 5 min
 * From Bupyeong-gu Office Station (Incheon, Line7): 30 min

Gwangmyeong is served by two subway stations (on Line 1 and 7):

By train
You can use the Gwangmyeong KTX Gyeongbu Line. KTX is the fastest train in Korea.

By taxi

 * You can take a taxi at the taxi stand. The taxi stand is usually near the bus stop.

 * As of July 2023, the basic fare for regular taxis is ₩4,800 (₩5,800 at night), with a surcharge of ₩100 applied according to time and distance. (The basic fare is up to 1.6 km (1 mi), plus ₩100 per 135 m.)

See

Mountains in Gwangmyeong
 * (Dodeok-san Mountain) A mountain on the border between Gwangmyeong-dong, Cheolsan-dong and Haan-dong, Gwangmyeong-si, Gyeonggi-do. It is 183.1 m high.
 * (Dodeok-san Mountain) A mountain on the border between Gwangmyeong-dong, Cheolsan-dong and Haan-dong, Gwangmyeong-si, Gyeonggi-do. It is 183.1 m high.

 River in Gwangmyeong
 * Anyangcheon (Cheolsan-dong)
 * Mokgamcheon (Gwangmyeong-dong)
 * Sohacheon (Soha-dong)

Movie theaters
There are three movie theaters in Gwangmyeong. It consists of two Lotte Cinema and one cgv.

Eat

Drink
Gwangmyeong's downtown is near Cheolsan Station and has dozens of restaurants and bars. Commercial districts around Soha1-dong are also developing these days.

Café

title: Gwangmyeong


text:
Gweedore

Gaoth Dobhair or Gweedore is an Irish-speaking area on the northwest corner of County Donegal. Its main settlements are Bunbeg and Derrybeg on the coast, Brinlack further north, and Dunlewey inland, with a population of 4065 in 2003. The main reason to visit is its scenery, with a rugged coastline and cloud-wracked mountains.

Get in
has flights from Dublin and Glasgow, and car hire.

See Letterkenny and Derry for other inter-city travel routes.

Local Link Bus 271 runs from Letterkenny via Churchill, Glenveagh (for National Park), Dunlewey, Crolly, Loughanure and Dungloe to for the Arranmore ferry. There are three M-Th and five F Sa.

Local Link Bus 966 runs once in the morning M-F from Falcarragh via (for Tory Island ferry), Derrybeg, Bunbeg (for Gola Island ferry), Crolly and Loughanure to Dungloe, heading back in the afternoon.

Get around
You need your own wheels for this scattered district.

See

 * wasn't a scene of slaughter, but the rocks are red in the setting sun. Pity about the encrustation of holiday cottages.
 * 1 km offshore lost its permanent residents in the 1960s, but has several holiday homes (which may be available as self-catering lets) and caravans. The main attraction is the bird life around the sea arches on the north coast. The ferry sails Jun-Sept from Bunbeg, with one sailing M-F and hourly Sa Su. It's just a small launch for foot passengers and their dogs.
 * or Ionad Cois Locha is by the dam dividing loughs Nacung and Dunlewey. There's a restored weaver's cottage, a kiddie play-park, and they run boat trips and other activities on the loughs. They're open daily 10:30-17:00.
 * or An Earagail at 751 m / 2464 ft is Donegal's highest mountain. It's very prominent so you can admire it from several angles. To climb, start from the car park on R251 towards Letterkenny, and follow the track north over bog and scree. You turn west to reach the true summit first, then it would be churlish to begrudge the extra 40 m to the secondary peak. Say an hour to go up and 40 min to get down. Don't refer to it as "Mount Errigal", that's a shibboleth.

Do

 * Golf: Gweedore GC is on the coast by Derrybeg, looking out to Gola Island. It's 5607 m, par 71, visitor round €20.
 * Cloughaneely GC is a nine-hole course at Falcarragh.

 * Dunlewey Kayaking venture out on Dunlewey Lough.
 * Practice your Irish: any attempts will be appreciated in this Gaeltacht area.
 * Earagail Arts Festival is held in July at various venues across the northwest of the county. The next event is 9-24 July 2022.

Buy

 * Gallagher's Food Store in Derrybeg is open M-F 07:30-20:00, Sa 07:30-19:00, Su 07:30-16:00.

Eat

 * Pepper's Diner in Bunbeg is open Su-Th 10:00-21:00, F Sa 10:00-22:00.

Drink

 * Sean Óg Bar and Teach Mhicí are also in Bunbeg.
 * Sean Óg Bar and Teach Mhicí are also in Bunbeg.

Sleep

 * Most B&Bs around Gweedore remained closed in 2021.
 * Teac Campbell is a B&B 2 km north of Bunbeg.
 * See Dungloe for accommodation in The Rosses further south.
 * Teac Campbell is a B&B 2 km north of Bunbeg.
 * See Dungloe for accommodation in The Rosses further south.
 * See Dungloe for accommodation in The Rosses further south.
 * See Dungloe for accommodation in The Rosses further south.

Connect
As of Aug 2021, Three has the best signal, and you might even get 5G. Eir and Vodafone have basic mobile coverage along the road from Letterkenny but nothing further north.

Go next

 * Sail to the islands: to Arranmore from Burtonport, to Gola Island from Bunbeg or to Tory Island from Magheroarty.
 * Letterkenny is the hub for most of Donegal.

title: Gweedore


text:
Gweru

Gweru is a city in Southeastern Zimbabwe.

Get in
Gweru is 158 km from Bulawayo, 164 km from Masvingo, and 274 km from Harare.

By train
Gweru lies on the rail line between the capital Harare and Bulawayo and National Railways of Zimbabwe runs three overnight trains per week in each direction, unfortunately this means that trains arrive in Gweru in the middle of the night. Additionally, there is a tri-weekly service from Masvingo. is located at the western end of Tenth St.

By bus
There are plenty of buses to and from Bulawayo, taking two to three hours.

See

Do

 * Antelope Park. Home to the African Lion Environmental Research Trust (ALERT) and the world’s first Lion Rehabilitation & Release into the Wild Programme, your stay at Antelope Park will not only leave you with memories that will last a lifetime, but also with the knowledge that you have personally helped contribute to the survival of the African Lion. Here you can walk with the lions, play with cubs, swim with lions and elephants and enjoy watching them play in a safe environment!

Eat

title: Gweru


text:
Gweta

Gweta is in a small village in the Okavango-Chobe region of Botswana.

Get in
Gweta is 205 kilometres (127 mi) away from Maun and about 100 kilometres (62 mi) from Nata.

Buses run between Francistown to Maun, stopping in Nata and Gweta en route.

The bus fare from Gweta to Maun is P42.15. Hitching is also a possibility and chances of catching a ride are increased on the main highway, 2 km from the village centre.

Get around
The village of Gweta is quite small and can be covered on foot.

See
Tours of Gweta Village are offered by Gweta Lodge (situated next to the town square, near the Post Office). Village walks include visits to the Kgotla, local school, traditional doctor, past local traders and traditionally built houses.

There are a few baobab trees in the village and on the road out of town. A large marula tree sits in the yard of the first school on the left when entering the village.

Do as the locals do and people watch in the post-office, hospital and at the bus station.

Makgadikgadi Pans
Self-drive or take a tour through Gweta Lodge by 4WD or quad bike to the Makgadikgadi Pans. These salt pans are the largest in the world and greater in size than the country of Switzerland. Once a large river-fed lake, the Makgadikgadi Pans now lie saline and empty. The pans are littered with stone tools and artefacts dated from between 2,000 to 500,000 years old! During the wet season 35-75,000 zebra and wildebeest migrate into the area with regular sightings of lion, cheetah and other predators who follow in their wake. The zebra and wildebeest migration across the pans is southern Africa’s last surviving zebra and wildebeest migration and the second largest in the world. Hundreds of thousands of flamingo also appear to feed as long as the water lasts. The pans are also a permanent haven for desert species such as the meerkat and the elusive brown hyaena, the third rarest carnivore in the world.

Baobabs
Self-drive or take a tour to the historically significant baobabs in the area. Greens Baobab, 27 km south of Gweta was inscribed by the 19th-century hunters and traders Joseph Green and Hendrik Matthys van Zyl as well as other ruthless characters. (The far more impressive Chapman's Baobab has sadly fallen down.)

In the south of the Nxai Pan National Park are the famous Baines' Baobabs, which were immortalised in paintings by the artist and adventurer Thomas Baines in 1862. Today, a comparison with Baines' paintings reveals that in almost 150 years, only one branch has broken off. Baines, a self-taught naturalist, artist and cartographer, had originally been a member of David Livingstone's expedition up the Zambezi, but was mistakenly accused of theft by Livingstone's brother and forced to leave the party. Livingstone's brother later realised his mistake (but never publicly admitted it), yet Baines remained the subject of ridicule in Britain.

Gabatsadi Island
The enormous crescent-shaped dune known as Gabatsadi Island has an expansive view from the crest that has managed to attract the likes of Prince Charles. (He went there to capture the indescribably lonely scene in watercolour, but the paints ran because it was so hot!) The island lies just west of the Gweta-Orapa track, about 48 km south of Gweta.

Kubu Island
Along the southwestern edge of Sowa Pan is Kubu Island, a ghostly, baobab-laden rock, which is entirely surrounded by a sea of salt. In Setswana, kubu means 'hippopotamus' (because there used to be lots here) and, as unlikely as it may seem given the current environment and climate, this desolate area may have been inhabited by people until about 500 years ago.

On one shore lies an ancient crescent-shaped stone wall of unknown origin, which has yielded numerous artefacts. The island is now protected as a national monument, with proceeds going to the local community. There is also a small camp site with pit toilets, though you will have to carry in your own water.

Tracks to Kubu Island begin in Gweta Village.

Makgadikgadi and Nxai Pan National Park
Makgadikgadi Pans National Park and Nxai Pan National Park are administered by the Department of Wildlife & National Parks (DWNP), so camping is only allowed at designated camp sites, which must be booked in advance at the DWNP office in Gaborone or Maun. You will not be permitted into either park without a camp-site reservation, unless you're on an organised tour.

West of Gweta, the main road between Nata and Maun slices through Makgadikgadi Pans Game Reserve and Nxai Pan National Park, which protect large tracts of salt pans, palm forests, grasslands and savannahs.

Buy
Locally made woven baskets. Gweta Villagers sit in the shade in the town square opposite the post office weaving baskets for sale.

A curio-shop is due to open next to Gweta Lodge by early 2012 which will offer locally produced arts and crafts for sale.

Eat
Maano Supermarket next to the bus stop sells lunch packs, usually consisting of meat, vegetables (such as moroko) and papa.

Thebekgwaana Supermarket/Bar off the main road in the village, behind the Kgotla also sells food.

Gweta Lodge offers meals to walk-ins. Lunches off the menu are usually burgers or toasted sandwiches with chips or salad from 35 pula. Dinner must be ordered in advance but is possible if arranged with lodge staff.

Drink
Thebekgwaana Bar is the local bar of choice for Gweta's villagers.

Ask in the front yards of houses behind Thebekgwaana to sample the locally made marula wine.

title: Gweta


text:
Gwynedd

Gwynedd is a local authority area in North Wales.

Cities

 * – location of Penrhyn Castle, a National Trust mock-Norman edifice of the 19th century and The Spinnies, splendidly situated bird hides with the chance to see little egrets and kingfishers.

Towns

 * (Welsh: Y Bala) — the glacial lake and surrounding mountains provides an excellent location for many activities.
 * (Abermaw or Y Bermo) — seaside town with an 820 metre bridge offering stunning views of the Mawddach Estuary.
 * — old slate mining village, with opportunity to go down the slate caverns as well as ride a narrow-gauge railway.
 * — impressive castle.
 * — small town at the foot of Cadair Idris.
 * — castle is a must visit, as long as you have a head for heights.
 * — take the narrow gauge train to Blaenau Ffestiniog
 * — traditional market-town of the beautiful Llŷn Peninsula
 * — seaside resort

Villages

 * — visit Plas yn Rhiw, a beautiful, though not large, National Trust property in nearby Rhiw.
 * — village with opportunities for leisure and sport activities.
 * — popular sailing destination.
 * — picturesque village, renowned for the grave of Prince Llywelyn's dog Gelert.
 * — try the longest zip line in Europe and the fastest in the world.
 * (Cricieth) — remains of castle with massive twin-towered gatehouse
 * — King Arthur's Labyrinth slate quarry tour and craft shops.
 * — chance to buy woollen items and other traditional goods from mill outlet.
 * — remains of an Iron age fort on the coast, a great beach and in land, Parc Glynllifon an arboretum and a modern amphitheatre worth seeing.
 * — small steam railway and a starting point to walk along the Mawddach Trail
 * — National Slate Museum and start point for the train up Snowdon
 * — village on the Llŷn Peninsula
 * (Pwll Penmaen) — walk the Mawddach Way along the estuary.
 * — starting point for walks up Snowdon
 * Talysarn

Other destinations

 * (Ynys Enlli)
 * (Parc Cenedlaethol Eryri)
 * (Penrhyn Llŷn) — spelled 'Lleyn' in the English language, a peninsula whose name is derived from the same Celtic root as the Irish province of Leinster
 * — reconstruction of an Italian renaissance style village, famous for featuring in the 1960s cult science fiction TV series The Prisoner.

Talk
Most local people are bilingual in Welsh and English including all tourist shops and popular restaurants. Nonetheless, Welsh is many locals' first language and the one they feel most comfortable expressing themselves in, so any attempt you make to say a few phrases will be most welcome.

By car
A5 from Shrewsbury then the A470 and A494, or from Shrewsbury the A458 via Welshpool.

The A55 North Wales Expressway connects Chester to Holyhead via Bangor.

By train
The northern part of the county including Bangor can be reached with the North Wales Coast Line from Crewe and Chester, while the Cambrian Line connects the west coast including Barmouth and Pwllheli from Shrewsbury and Birmingham (England). Note the Birmingham/Shrewsbury train splits at Dovey Junction after Machynlleth part going to Aberystwyth, make sure you are in the correct carriage.

By bus
National Express have services to Caernarfon and Bangor from England.

Get around

 * Car is the easiest and most flexible means of transport. The A487 and A470 are the main trunk roads through the region. The A493 (Dolgellau to Machynlleth) and A496 (Blaenau Ffestiniog to Dolgellau, via Harlech) coast roads as well as the A494 (through Bala) provide scenic and interesting routes.
 * There are Gwynedd local buses but are not too regular.
 * Cambrian Coastliner

See
There are a number of prehistoric monuments in the northern part of the county and in southern portion as well as Roman to Modern sites to visit in Gwynedd. Prehistoric sites include hill forts, standing stones, cairns and hut circles.

Large-scale slate mining was important to Wales's economy between the late-18th and mid-20th centuries, and there are many relics of this industry to be found all over Gwynedd, from the remains of quarries, to the railways used to transport the slate to waiting ships at the coast, to workers' housing and amenities. This treasure was made a in 2021.

Go next

 * Conwy (county)
 * Anglesey
 * Powys
 * Ceredigion

title: Gwynedd


text:
Gyantse

Gyantse (Chinese: 江孜, Tibetan: རྒྱལ་རྩེ་), is a city in Xigatse Prefecture.

Understand
Located by the Nyang-chu River, Gyantse is the fourth largest city in Tibet. It once was a major center for trade with India, and in 1904 the city became a battlefield when the British Army under Colonel Frances Younghusband attacked the city.

Get in
There are buses running from Xigatse and Lhasa (via Xigatse) to Gyantse on a regular basis. However, most people arrive by organised tours from the capital.

Get around
The town itself is quite small & most sights can be seen on foot. Taxis are available, but watch out for illegal taxies. Tibetan people are friendly, sometimes they invite you to ride with their horse carriages! Agree on a price first, otherwise it could be expensive. There is a small youth hostel close to the bus terminal, where they rent bicycles. The price was approximately ¥25 per day. Sadly, condition of most bicycles were poor.

See

 * Pelkor Choede - regarded as the center of Gyantse, this is a yellow hat monastery. The structure was well preserved during the culture revolution, however the original charm of this monastery has lost somehow due to the noticeable lack of maintenance. Most interior paintings are difficult to see without special lighting equipment.
 * Gyantse Dzong - The fort has a few exhibitions detailing the history & use of the Dzong. A new exhibition center has been built by the main gate and houses an Anti-British Imperialists museum. It is a steep climb to the top of the fort but the views are well worth it.
 * Gyantse Kumbum (Pelkor Chorten) - located within Pelkor Choede, eight story structure with Buddhist images and statues with extremely detailed features. The second floor is the most interesting floor!

Do

 * Visiting ordinary residential zones, where most people still live in a traditional way. In front of every home you could be greeted by cows, horses and dogs. The best peoplewatching place is in front of a small Buddhist temple a few meters away from the old castle. There are at least three different ethnic groups who live in this city. Tibetan people are shy in their nature, the Muslim people are the smart traders in the local markets and the newly emigrated Han Chinese people own most restaurants and stores.

Buy
Yak meat, yak yoghurt and yak butter. Gyantse is also famous for the production of traditional Tibetan carpets, so be sure to check out some while you are here.

Eat
Decent restaurants can be found on the main shopping streets, including:
 * Tashi Restaurant : good selection of Tibetan, Nepali, Indian, Western food
 * Yak Restaurant : good selection of Tibetan, Nepali and Western food, including some authentic French cuisine!
 * Gyantse Kitchen : good selection of Tibetan, Nepali and Western food. The 'sizzlers' are an excellent experience if you're tired of thukpa and the service is amazingly competent and friendly. Listen out for the cooks and waitresses singing together in the kitchen as they prepare your meal.

Budget

 * Fuzhuang Guesthouse (Fuzhuang Zhaodaisuo) - popular among backpackers
 * Liangshi Guesthouse (Liangshi Zhaodaisuo)

Mid-range

 * County Government Hotel (Xianzhengfu Binguan)
 * Gyantse Hotel (Jiangsi Binguan) - best hotel in town, has Tibetan-style hotel rooms

Go next
Minibuses and jeeps leave from the southside of the main traffic circle early in the morning for Xigatse.

title: Gyantse


text:
Gyöngyös

Gyöngyös is a town of 28,000 people (2021) and a district in Hungary, west of Mátra, the highest of the Hungarian mountain ranges.

Understand
The Art-Nouveau and Baroque buildings around the main square were reconstructed after a disastrous fire started in the local hospital in 1917, destroying a number of buildings housing important Jewish institutions and leaving in all around 8,000 homeless.

Gyöngyös was home to a large Jewish community before World War II. Following the occupation of Hungary by the German army in March 1944, 1800 Jews were locked in a ghetto. Some were saved by Hungarian Righteous Among the Nations personnel but most of them were deported to Auschwitz and killed.

Get in
By car you can reach the city by travelling on highway M3 (towards Miskolc), about 80 km from Budapest.

Do
Take a narrow gauge train into the vineyards and further to Matra mountains.

Eat

 * "Kékes Étterem" (restaurant): it's in the central square of the city. It may be one of the best restaurants in Hungary (food is excellent and the service matches the food), though its looks could have been improved.

Drink
Mátra is one of the famous wine-producing regions. Try some of their whites!

title: Gyöngyös