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Kagoshima (prefecture)

Kagoshima Prefecture (鹿児島県 Kagoshima-ken) is the southernmost prefecture on the island of Kyushu, Japan. Here you can find the majestic cedar forests of Yakushima, active volcanoes such as Sakurajima, abundant hot springs, samurai history, and rich nature.

Discover Kagoshima is the prefecture's official multi-lingual guide site.

Destinations
Kagoshima prefecture lie at the south end of Kyushu, which is the southernmost of the four main islands in Japan. The prefecture consists of two peninsulas, which were separate domains before 1871 called Satsuma (薩摩)  to the west and Osumi  (大隅) to the east, as well as the island chains stretching southward towards Okinawa.

The Satsuma Peninsula

 * — The capital and biggest city in the prefecture, with a relaxed atmosphere, and great views of and access to a very active volcano, Sakurajima.
 * — Home to the Chiran Peace Museum, a place to learn the moving stories of the often very young WWII kamikaze pilots. Also a location of many samurai houses.
 * — A very peaceful area for relaxing; the place to try Japan's famous "sand baths". Near Mt. Kaimon, the iconic oceanside mountain, where the more active traveler can climb and be rewarded with great views at the peak.
 * — Location of samurai houses open to the public, and winter home to great flocks of the vulnerable, and quite large white-naped species of crane.
 * — City that is home to Kokubu Castle, a castle ruin.
 * — A national park in Miyazaki and Kagoshima Prefectures on the island of Kyūshū
 * — A range of mountains with active volcanoes, crater-lakes, and year-round views that are sometimes otherworldly.　A source of some of the earliest myths of Japan. Hot springs are plentiful.
 * — Home to Kagoshima Immaculate Heart University, which has a small population of foreign students.

The Osumi Peninsula

 * — Hot springs, and an active volcano that spews ash over the surrounding areas.
 * — Bay-side home to a well-known rose garden.
 * — The southernmost point on Kyushu.

Southern Islands
In addition to the mainland, Kagoshima includes a spray of subtropical islands open to travelers looking for island adventures, extending south to and culturally strongly influenced by Okinawa.

 * The northernmost group is the Ōsumi Islands (大隅諸島 Ōsumi Shotō):
 * — Three small but very volcanic islands a short hop from Kagoshima City.
 * — Active volcanoes, hot springs and fishing.
 * — Home to Japan's largest spaceport.
 * — Looming subtropical island with ageless giant cedar forests, its own unique variety of deer and monkeys, and some of the tallest mountain peaks in the Kyushu area.

 * Next are the tiny and off-the-radar (吐噶喇列島, or often トカラ列島 to avoid difficult kanji).

 * These are followed by the much larger but still sparsely populated Amami Islands (奄美諸島 Amami Shotō):
 * — Culturally a blend of Okinawan, Amami, and Kagoshima traditions.
 * — The largest island in both area and population.
 * — Listed as a natural world heritage site by UNESCO.
 * — Small island home to hundreds of caves and impressive coasts.
 * — A tiny and quiet beach paradise.

History
Kagoshima was known as Satsuma (薩摩) until 1871. It was one of the strongest Japanese provinces, at its height ruling an empire whose effective domain extended from Okinawa in the south to northern Kyushu. Fiercely reactionary, the city of Kagoshima was bombarded by English warships in 1863 in retaliation for the murder of an English trader, an event still known among the Japanese as the Satsuma-England War (薩英戦争 Satsu-Ei sensō).

While at first supportive of the Meiji Restoration of 1868 and a key contributor to the military defeat of the Shogunate's forces, Satsuma soon balked at the new government's attempts to roll back the privileges of the samurai. By 1877, the province had done a U-turn and was now at the forefront of the Satsuma Rebellion (西南戦争 Seinan-sensō), somewhat reluctantly spearheaded by Saigō Takamori (西郷隆盛), a near-mythical figure whose story was (very loosely) adapted for the Last Samurai movie. Outnumbered and outgunned, the rebels failed to take Kumamoto's castle and were soon hunted down, Saigō dying in the final Battle of Shiroyama in Kagoshima.

With the rebellion over, Satsuma's port was converted into an Imperial naval stronghold that gave birth to Japanese admiral Tōgō Heihachirō.

Climate
Sub-tropical Kagoshima is the rainiest part of Japan, experiencing not one but two rainy seasons that stretch nearly uninterrupted from May to July. Parts of Yakushima get nearly 9000 mm — that's nine meters — of rain yearly, or about seven times more than Tokyo!

Hot on the heels of the rainy season come typhoons, peaking in August and September. The shoulder season that follows is one of the best times to visit, as is spring, with cherry blossoms flowering in late March. Winter can be surprisingly cold, with average temperatures on the coast around 7° and snow in the mountains.

Talk
The Kagoshiman dialect of Japanese, called Kagoshima-ben (鹿児島弁) or Satsuma-ben (薩摩弁), is famously incomprehensible to other Japanese. A local legend claims that this is intentional, so spies from elsewhere couldn't understand it, and this was even put to the test: while the American army employed Navajo codetalkers during World War II, the Japanese navy recruited fast-talking Kagoshima-ben speakers! These days, though, virtually all locals speak standard Japanese as well.

Kagoshima-ben stands out with unusual tonal accent and word stress, by distinguishing between ji じ, di ぢ, zu ず and du づ, and above all with an extensive array of local vocabulary. A few samples for flavor:

By plane
Kagoshima's airport, about two hours by air from Tokyo, is well-connected to the rest of Japan and has links to Seoul and Shanghai. There are also direct flights to Amami Oshima from Tokyo-Haneda and Osaka-Itami. Also check New Tanegashima Airport.

By train
Kagoshima is the southern terminus of the Kyushu Shinkansen line. A bullet train service connects Kagoshima with Shin-Osaka in 3 hours and 45 minutes launched. With this leg of the bullet train route, northernmost mainland Japan and the southernmost point of Kyushu are effectively connected, although to travel the entire distance you would reportedly have to change trains at Tokyo station.

Alternatively, the JR Nippō Main Line (日豊本線 Nippō-honsen) travels from Fukuoka to Kagoshima via Kyushu's eastern coast, passing through Oita and Miyazaki.

By ferry
Virtually all ferries heading south towards the Amami Islands or Okinawa call in at Kagoshima. The main operators are A-Line Ferry, aka Maru-A (マルエー) and Marix Line, both of which run between Kagoshima and Naha (Okinawa) on alternating days. The full trip all the way from Naha takes about 24 hours and costs ¥14,200 in 2nd class — not much of a savings over a plane ticket.

By plane
Most of the prefecture's larger islands are served by flights from Kagoshima, although schedules are sparse and costs high. For example, JAC's 25-min hop to Yakushima costs ¥12,750 one-way.

By ferry
Kagoshima's islands are connected by a web of ferries radiating out from Kagoshima, with some also calling in at Ibusuki.

Eat
Kagoshima is an agricultural area, known for numerous products:
 * Black pork (黒豚 kurobuta) is from a variant of Berkshire hogs, and is the most highly prized pork in Japan. It is named for the color of the hogs, not the meat.
 * Potatoes (芋 imo), particularly sweet potatoes (サツマイモ satsumaimo), are used in a variety of dishes and snacks, as well as in making shochu. Purple sweet-potato ice cream is available in various shops.
 * Black beef (黒牛 kuroushi) is the well marbled local beef.
 * Tropical fruits, grown both on the main Kyushu island and neighboring smaller islands, are available inexpensively at fruit markets around town.
 * Brown sugar (黒糖 kokutō or 黒砂糖 kurozatō, both meaning "black sugar") made from sugarcane is a well known product of Kagoshima's southern islands. It is frequently used in candy, confectionery and can even be distilled into shochu.
 * Local fish and shellfish are also common.

Special dishes in Kagoshima cuisine include:
 * Chicken sashimi (鳥さし torisashi). Sliced raw chicken, served with a garlic and soy dip on the side. It tastes exactly like you'd expect raw chicken to taste like.  In addition to the meat, liver, hearts and other parts are also eaten raw.  The chicken used for this are specially bred, slaughtered and stored, reducing but not eliminating the odds of contracting salmonella or other nasties.  If completely raw chicken is a step too far, try tori no tataki (鶏のタタキ), which has been lightly seared on the outside but is still raw and pink on the inside.
 * Tonkotsu (豚骨). This is a pork stew where the meat is marinated in shochu and slow cooked; the bones turn into gelatin and are eaten as part of the dish. Not to be confused with tonkatsu, the fried pork cutlet!
 * Satsuma-age (さつま揚げ). This is a kind of fried fish cake. Different shapes have different flavors, e.g. the large rectangular ones have carrot in the middle, the small round ones have sweet-potato flavor, and so on.
 * Kibinago (きびなご). A kind of small fish, similar in size to a sardine.  The fillets are served raw, with a white miso sauce for dipping.

Drink
Kagoshima's specialty is imojōchū (芋焼酎), a strong liquor distilled from sweet potatoes (薩摩芋 satsuma-imo). Manufactured here for over 500 years, it's infamous for its peculiar smell (often likened to gasoline and other unpleasant things), but recent varieties have reduced it to bearable levels, revealing a complex, almondy taste and the humble workman's plonk has been transformed into a high-class tipple now enjoyed in Tokyo's fancy bars. The local custom is to drink shochu mixed with hot water, called oyuwari (お湯割り), but first-timers will probably want to start off drinking it with cold water, mizuwari (水割り), or ice instead.

Stay safe
Kagoshima, like most of Japan, is remarkably safe place with kind people. Of course this is no excuse to forget common sense, so take regular precautions with your valuables and yourself.

With active volcanoes such as Sakurajima, Shinmoe in the Kirishima area, and on some small islands, it's a good idea to double check with locals before attempting a hike. Similarly, make sure to check about tropical storms or typhoons when making a trip to the southern islands. However, if there is danger, officials should have areas closed off in the case of volcanoes, and ferry travel canceled in the case of storms.

title: Kagoshima (prefecture)


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Kahramanmaras

Kahramanmaraş, which used to be known as Maraş, is a city in Turkey, located on the crossroad of southern, eastern and southeastern Turkey.

Understand
Kahramanmaraş is the capital city of Kahramanmaraş Province in southeastern Turkey. The city lies on a plain at the foot of the Taurus Mountains and has a population of about 570,000 (2022). The region is best known for its production of salep, a flour made from dried orchid tubers, and its distinctive ice cream.

By plane
Turkish Airlines operates daily direct flights from Istanbul, and Anadolu Jet operates direct flights from Ankara.

By train
As of 2019, there are no rail services to Kahramanmaras. Nearest train station is in the small town of Türkoğlu, 20 kilometers south, which is served by one train per day on the Adana-Elâzığ route.

By car
Adana - 2 hours (230 km) Gaziantep - 55 minutes (80 km)

By bus
Available from every city in Turkey

Get around
In the city of Kahramanmaras you can travel with the dolmuş minibuses (Fare: 1.25 TL), public urban buses (Halk otobüsü) (Fare: 1.15 TL) or taxi.

See

 * The Castle Of Kahramanmaras
 * The Covered Bazaar of Kahramanmaras
 * Pinarbasi
 * Ulu Mosque
 * Kahramanmaras Zoo - Hanefi Mahcicek Ave. Ungut/Kahramanmaras
 * Taş Medrese — An Islamic center of learning close to Ulu Mosque
 * Dongel Caves — Kahramanmaras - Kayseri road (57 km) Tekir/Kahramanmaras
 * Kahramanmaras Museum on Azerbaycan Blv. — a small archaeological museum containing a diverse array of artifacts, most notably including a large Hittite collection.
 * (123 km north, 7 km past Afşin) is a 13th-century, Seljuk-built fortified complex with a mosque and caravanserai. It is dedicated to the Ashab al-Kahf, the Islamic version of the Seven Sleepers of Ephesus, a legendary group of people who hid in a cave to escape the persecution of early Christians and slept for 300 years, to wake into a society where Christianity became the dominant belief. The site has had a long history of continual religious use: it was originally a Hittite temple, then a Roman one and later still a Byzantine church.

Do

 * Walk around at Trabzon Ave.
 * Covered Bazaar: A must see. A big bazaar, where you can buy clothes, presents, etc. There are also a lot of lounges where you can sit.

Eat

 * Soups: Tarhana, Eşkili Soup, Döğmeli Mercimekli Soup, Yoğurtlu Döğmeli Soup and Maraş Paçası
 * Koftes (Burgers): Simit Köftesi, Kısır Köftesi, Içli Köfte, Sömelek Köfte, Suluyağlı Köfte, Eşkili Köfte, Yoğurtlu Köfte, Yavan köfte, Eşkili Aya Köftesi.
 * Kebabs
 * Ice Cream - In Yasar Patiserie Trabzon Ave.
 * Baklava

Budget
 Cinaralti Kebab (Azerbaycan Ave.)

 Cumhuriyet Lokantasi  (Covered Bazaar)

 Antepli Lahmacun  (Binevler/Kahramanmaras)

Mid-range
Selale Park Café  (Trabzon Ave.)

Kasap Ibrahim  (Hukumet Ave.)

Kucuk Ev Kebab  (Trabzon Ave.)

Yenisehir Lokantasi  (Trabzon Ave.)

Turaç  (Sait Zaifoglu Ave. Orman St. No: 101)

Splurge
Sezal Restaurant (Hanefi Mahcicek Ave. near Kahramanmaras Zoo)

Drink

 * The open-air café at Selale Park is good for a relief and some shade while watching the city during a summer day.
 * All patisseries and cafes in Trabzon Ave. are attractive.

Budget
 Arıkan Oteli (Azerbaycan Ave.)

Mid-range
Buyuk Kahramanmaras Oteli  (Trabzon Ave.)

Splurge
Ramada Hotel (4*)  (Hanefi Mahcicek Ave. No:286 Ungut/Kahramanmaras)

Arsan Hotel (4*)  (South Highway - Gaziantep Highway Arsancenter Kahramanmaras)

Stay safe
Kahramanmaras is one of the safest cities in Turkey for its size. There are no slums or districts you should avoid. In general, you can visit any part of the city at any time of the day without taking many risks — just use your common sense. At night, though, it is wise to avoid parks, as well as the area within and around Ulu Mosque and Castle. The drug scene at Castle hangs out there during the day, but they do not care at all about tourists. Just ignore them and they will ignore you.

Go next

 * Andirin
 * Baskonus
 * Yesilgoz
 * Tekir
 * Dongel Caves

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

title: Kahramanmaras


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Kahta

 * "Nemrut" redirects here. There is another mountain of that name, a much less famous dormant volcano, near Tatvan.

Kâhta is a town of 67,000 people (2012) in Southeastern Anatolia. Kahta, on lake of Atatürk Dam is a good base to explore the area and Mount Nemrut from, although there's not a lot of life in the town.

Understand
Indeed Kahta should be the main base for visiting Nemrut. There is also another way to Nemrut from Malatya. However the trip from Kahta to Nemrut will include a sightseeing of Karakuş Hill, Arsemia Castle, and ancient Kahta Castle. All of these attractions are included in the National Park. Hence, a visit to Nemrut is shorter and more valuable if done from Kahta.

Climate
The climate of Kahta, and nearby Mount Nemrut, is Mediterranean-influenced continental, with hot, dry summers and cold, snowy winters.

Summers are hot, but thanks to the area's elevation, relatively bearable when compared with nearby valleys. However, you should still expect highs above 36°C on the hottest days of the year, even if evenings are noticeably cool, even chilly. Other than that, dry, sunny weather are almost constant during this time.

Winters are long, cold and snowy, and actually considerably more so because of the effect of the mountain. Expect night-time temperatures of about -10°C or so during colder winter nights, and these frigid temperature dips might continue until March or April, so much so that until April there's usually still snow on Nemrut, so you can't see the statues fully. Before April also the roads might be blocked.

Late spring and early fall are both warm and usually pleasant, but spring is the time of the Anatolian storm season, which makes fall a better time to go if you don't want to be bothered by frequent thunderstorms.

By dolmuş
There are frequent dolmuş (every 15 min until ~22:00) from Adıyaman, 4 TL (Mar 2016).

By plane
The nearest airport is in Adıyaman, about 15 km away, which has connections from many cities in Turkey. AnadoluJet, which is sub division of Turkish Airlines flies from Ankara International Airport to Adıyaman on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. Flights depart at 18:55 and arrive at 20:05 to Adıyaman.

On foot
You can walk pretty much everywhere in Kahta.

By dolmuş
Dolmuş from Kahta to Karadut (near Nemrut) are 5-6 TL (Mar 2016).

By road
From Karadut it's approximately 12 km to Nemrut. You can either walk, try to hitchhike, or arrange a ride from one of Karadut's accommodation providers.

Mount Nemrut

The Mount Nemrut tomb-sanctuary was probably built for king Antiochus Theos of Kommagene who believed he was a descendant of Apollo, in the first part of the first century BC. The main feature is a tumulus (tomb hill) about 50 m high, underneath which it is thought, the tomb itself is located. It is also thought that it will be as rich as any of the tombs of Egypt. The summit is 2,150 m above sea level and provides a great view of the surrounding mountains and even Ataturk lake.

If you want to see the sunrise, you have to be prepared to get up early (at about 02:30). You might have your own transport or arrange a guided tour. If going up Nemrut to see the sunrise, bring warm clothing with you, because it can get cold up there (even in summer) since the summit is at about 2,150 m. Watch the sunrise from the eastern terrace which give the bodyless heads a beautiful orange hue and adds to the sense of mystery of the place.

Around the Tumulus are two main terraces; the big eastern terrace, and the smaller western terrace. These might have been used for religious and other ceremonies due to the astronomical and religious nature of the monument. A bas-relief has been found on the western terrace of a lion and the planets Mars, Jupiter and Mercury as they would have been on 7 July 62 BCE, the possible starting date of the complex' construction.

Big seated statues, 8-9 m high, of Antiochus, Hercules, Zeus-Orosmasdes (associated with the Persian god Ahura-Mazda) and a few other Greek and Persian deities along with two lions and two eagles, line these terraces. Since their erection, the heads have toppled from the bodies which remain at their original positions and lay scattered throughout the site. They have been put back at their assumed original positions (albeit without the bodies) so they can once again face the sunrise and sunset. The arrangement of the statues (or in this case heads) is known as a hierothesion.

Do

 * Visit Black Bird Hill (Karakuş Tepesi), the Roman Bridge, Arsemia.

Eat
There are plenty of good options for Southeastern Anatolian food, including the Papatya Restaurant in the city centre for kebab and other red meat/chicken food, and for fish the restaurants on the shore of the Atatürk Dam (Baraj as called in Kahta). Zeynel'in Yeri is good choice. Fish from the dam and from Kahta river should be tried. Yayın (a fatty freshwater fish) and Sarıgöz are delicious. These restaurants also serve alcoholic drinks, including raki which is a good accompaniment for fish.

Sleep
Plenty of accommodation, but don't trust the hotel managers. Ask around at different offices about the tours to Nemrut, and at the bus station about getting out of town once you're done.

 * Zeus Hotel - 4-star hotel.
 * Hotel Nemrut - 4-star hotel.

Stay safe

 * A common scam in the town is that the hotel managers and the local tourist information office may give misinformation about bus schedules and other things to make travellers stay at their hotels longer. Cross-check information online or with other people.

title: Kahta


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Kahuku

Kahuku is a small town on the north shore of Oahu.

Get in
The Kamehameha Highway runs through town.

Get around
The town is small and pretty easily navigable on foot. You would be walking along busy Kam Highway though, which is a two-lane highway, so if you're walking- do so with care.

TheBus runs regularly through Kahuku. A daily bus pass /card costs $5.50 but must be paid for in cash, and allows you to reboard the bus as many times as you want. Keep a bus card and near Kahuku, you can reload it at the 7-11 in Hauula or at the Foodland in Laie. If you're staying more than two weeks in Hawaii, a monthly bus card might be more suitable, for $70 cash.

Do
Nearby golf courses include the 9-hole Kahuku Golf Course, as well as the championship Arnold Palmer and George Fazio courses on the Turtle Bay Resort.

Kahuku is near many surfing spots including the Banzai Pipeline, Sunset Beach, Waimea Bay, Pupkea, and Rocky Point.

Eat
Kahuku is known for its shrimp trucks along Kamehameha Highway. Those who stop can buy raw shrimp or cooked shrimp dishes like shrimp scampi, shrimp with garlic, and sweet & spicy shrimp. Most shrimp dishes come with rice and fruit or salad. Shrimp trucks include Giovanni's Shrimp Truck, Famous Kahuku Shrimp Truck, Blue Water Shrimp, Romy's Kahuku Prawns and Shrimp Hut, Macky's Kahuku Shrimp Truck, and Fumi's Kahuku Shrimp and Seafood and prices are generally less than $10 for a plate lunch.

title: Kahuku


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Kahului

Kahului is the largest town and commercial center of the island of Maui in Hawaii.

Get around
The main commercial street in Kahului is Kaahumanu Avenue (state route 32), which passes by the main shopping malls of Queen Kaahumanu Center and Maui Mall. Hana Highway (state route 36) intersects Kaahumanu Avenue near Maui Mall. Dairy Road (state route 380) is the road which runs to Kahului Airport from the major tourist centers and along which Maui's major big-box retailers lie.

Sleep
There are only three hotels in Kahului, all of them on the budget to midrange end of the scale. All are centrally located in Kahului not far from the airport and provide clean and comfortable accommodations, but if you're expecting amenities on the scale of properties in Kaanapali or Kihei, you will be sorely disappointed.

title: Kahului


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Kahuzi-Biéga National Park

Kahuzi-Biega National Park  is a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Understand
Kahuzi-Biega National Park operated by the Institut Congolais Pour La Conservation de la Nature (ICCN) is a World Heritage Site. Kahuzi-Biega National Park is famous as the largest refuge of the highly endangered Eastern Lowland (Grauer's) Gorillas. The last census of the gorillas in 2013 counted only 145 individuals. The highland section with most of the gorillas is open for visits, with three gorilla groups habituated for visitation.

In March 2014 in the highlands of KBNP there were no security problems. Visitors are advised to contact the rangers in advance and travel with them from the Cyangugu-Bukavu border with KBNP park rangers. The park is absolutely gorgeous and the gorilla experience is simply superb. In general the area from Bukavu to KBNP is secured by several MONUSCO posts. In summary, stay with, listen to and follow the advice of the KBNP park rangers and you should be at least as secure as you would be in many major cities around the world.

The Congolese people are extremely friendly and helpful and the eastern Congo is a lush and enormous landscape of beautiful mountains and lakes – simply gorgeous! Kahuzi-Biega National Park is the last major sanctuary of Grauer's lowland gorillas. They are larger and potentially more endangered than the mountain gorillas of western Rwanda and DR Congo north of Lake Kivu. A visit to Kahuzi-Biega National Park is high-adventure travel to an environmental paradise!

History
A small zoological and forest reserve was established around Mount Kahuzi in 1937. A larger Kahuzi-Biega National Park was established in 1970. The park became a World Heritage Site in 1980 to protect 200-300 eastern lowland (Grauer's) gorilla occurring mainly in the forests at 2,100-2,400 m, but also in the lower rainforest. The 'mosaic' of biotypes makes the park an excellent gorilla habitat. Other primates include eastern chimpanzee, and numerous Cercopithecinae and Colobinae. Other mammals include elephant, forest hog and many antelope and duiker. Avifauna includes the endemic Rockefeller's sunbird, Grauer's broadbill, Grauer's warbler and Shelley's crimsonwing.

Endemic mammal species include giant gennet, Aquatic civet, Maclaud's horseshoe bat, Ruwenzori least otter shrew, owl-faced monkey, eastern needle-clawed galago, Thomas' tree squirrel and Alexander's bush squirrel.

Fifteen villages of shifting cultivators were located in the eastern sectors of the park when it was created and continue to be occupied. The park is situated in one of the most densely populated areas of the country. Some 90% of the population of Kivu is rural, mainly dependent on agriculture. Seven separate tribal groups live around the park including the Pygmy, Barega and Bashi peoples. Traditional livelihoods are based on shifting agriculture and subsistence hunting.

Landscape
The park consists of two sections, the lowland (closed for visits) and the highland (open for visits).

The park is in the eastern part of the country, 50 km west of the town of Bukavu, near Lake Kivu and the Rwandan border. It consists of a smaller sector on the eastern side covering part of the Mitumba Mountains, and a larger western sector in the Zairean central basin. The two zones are connected by a narrow corridor. The entrance to the park is at Tshivanga, on the eastern side.

The 75,000 ha eastern sector is entirely montane. The massif is part of the Mitumba Mountain range, the western mountains of the Great Rift Valley. The two main peaks, Mount Kahuzi (3,308 m) and Mount Biéga (2,790 m) are extinct volcanoes, and the massif dates from the late Tertiary or early Quaternary.

The lowland sector in the Zairean central basin covers the watersheds of the tributaries of the Luka and Lugulu rivers. These both drain into the River Lualaba. The extension lies below 1,500 m apart from isolated peaks such as Mount Kamani (1,700 m), and consists of mountains cut by deep valleys. Undulating terrain in the west forms a belt between the two zones.

The western zone is forested by equatorial rainforest, with transition forest between 1,200 m and 1,500 m. In the eastern zone, six different primary vegetation types have been distinguished: mountain rainforest, high-altitude rainforest, swamp forest, bamboo forest, subalpine heather and swamp and peat bog.

Flora and fauna
The park is home to some of the last remaining populations of Eastern lowland gorillas in the wild. There were an estimated 600 living in the park in 1990, but there are only believed to be a couple hundred still alive after the tumultuous fighting of the 1990s and 2000s. In comparison to the western lowland gorillas, with a population of over 100,000 in Congo-Brazzaville, the total population of eastern lowland gorillas numbers at less than 4,000. They're also not to be confused with the mountain gorillas sought by tourists in Rwanda, Uganda, and Virunga National Park. The Eastern Lowland Gorilla is noteworthy for being larger than their western counterparts or mountain gorillas. They are the largest known primates, measuring in at 1.76 m (5 ft 9 in) for males and 1.60 m (5 ft 3 in) for females.

Climate
Tropical wet climate.

Get in
The park is accessible by a decent road from Bukavu. Taxis, buses, and car hires can be made to reach the park.

In order to have permission to visit, you need to contact Kahuzi-Biega National Park and request a letter of invitation. The KBNP Park Ranger in charge of tourism is: Juvenal Munganga-Mulengezi, juvenalmunganga@yahoo.fr

You need a letter of invitation to apply for your DR Congo visa.

Book your airline tickets to Kigali, Rwanda (KLM or similar) and to Kamembe-Cyangugu-Ruizi (Rwandair) in advance. You need a copy of your paid airline e-ticket to apply for a DR Congo visa, which costs US$115 for a single entry. You may not need a visa to visit Rwanda; check Rwanda.

When you have your visa, let KBNP know your travel dates.

Fly to Kigali Airport in Rwanda (it is the closest international airport).

Do not try to cross the DR Congo border without someone from DR Congo government, hopefully from the ICCN (Institut Conglais de Conservation de Nature) who run the Kahuzi-Biega National Park (Parc National de Kahuzi-Biega). If they are with you, your crossing will be smooth and quick.

Fees and permits
KBNP Park Ranger in charge of tourism is: Juvenal Munganga-Mulengezi juvenalmunganga@yahoo.fr

A permit is required from the ICCN either at their office in Bukavu (on Ave. Lumumba; +243 99 725 4296 [English] or +243 97 130 0881 [French]; reservations@kahuzi-biega.org) or at the Tchivanga base camp. Both locations are open M-F 8AM-4PM. The following prices are for foreign nationals. Congolese along with expatriates and nationals of CEPGL, EAC and SADC member countries pay lower rates (with passport and proper residence or work visa).
 * Gorilla trekking: US$400
 * Mountain ascents (Mount Kahuzi or Mount Biega): US$100
 * Hiking: US$35
 * Camping (including food & guards): US$50
 * Tent rental: US$5/night
 * Sleeping bag rental: US$5/night

Get around
Travel with the ICCN park rangers or their designated tour operators at all times.

The KBNP Park Ranger in charge of tourism is: Juvenal Munganga-Mulengezi juvenalmunganga@yahoo.fr

See

 * Gorillas
 * Forest elephants
 * Birds

Hiking
While gorilla trekking may be the park's most popular attraction, visitors may also hike the parks trails to view monkeys, chimpanzees, and a wide variety of birds.

The Marais Musisi Trail passes through bamboo forests & swampland culminating in a fantastic view over the Marais Musisi. The Tshibati Waterfalls Trail passes by three waterfalls and offers hikers the opportunity to take a dip in one of their plunge pools.

Mountain ascents
The summit of Mount Kahuzi (3308 m) offers great views of Bukavu and Lake Kivu. The ascent takes 4 hours through bamboo forests and sub alpine vegetation. The descent is approximately 3 hours.

The summit of Mount Bugulumiza (2400 m) is easily accessible via a 6 km trail from Tshivanga Visitor Centre and takes about 3 hours round-trip. The summit offers great views of Mounts Kahuzi & Biega along with the surrounding forest landscape.

The summit of Mount Biega (2790 m) is a 6-hour round-trip hike from the main road. The vegetation is significantly different from that found on Mount Kahuzi. The park is working to clear a trail to the summit that was hoped to open back in 2013.

What to bring
220-volt adapters for your USB electronic devices and laptop computers. Download the Dict-0-French application for your Android or iPhone device.

A Camelbak Ultraviolet water purifcation water bottle and two simple empty Nalgene bottles to hold extra water.

A Sansbug or other indoor mosquito tent/net. Mosquitos are not bad at KBNP but it is better to be ready.

Mosquito repellent – wipes or small bottles for your aircraft hold luggage.

Mosquito head net and brimmed rain hat – just in case.

A good rain suit – This is the rainforest!

The usual foreign travel medicines (Ibuprofen, anti-diarrhea, Pepto-Bismol). Just in case.

A waterproof camera for the forest.

A small LED flashlight.

All of the batteries you might need.

Wet-ones or other alcohol wipes.

Toilet paper.

Some LL Bean Duck Boots – 8 inches or higher.

A towel, jackets.

Thin sleeping bag or two blankets and two sheets.

Think luxury indoor camping without the tent and stoves.

Eat
The food is terrific. Make sure you try the Tilapia from Lake Kivu, and fresh avocados, bananas and citrus fruits from the local farms in the Bukavu valley.

Drink
DR Congo has a variety of excellent beer. Try Primus, Mutzig, Turbo King.

Lodging
There are no hotels in the park, so if you want to stay in a hotel, consider the nearby city of Bukavu.

Camping
A designated campsite is available beside the park.

Connect
There is cell phone coverage at KBNP. Purchase a Vodacom SIM card in Bukavu on your way in. There is also electricity and narrow satellite Internet at Kahuzi-Biega National Park during working hours.

Stay safe
You should take malaria pills, starting at least two days before leaving for Rwanda and DR Congo (consult with a doctor). There are also recommended shots for these countries; consult with a tropical disease specialist or your doctor.

Go next
Visit Idjwi Island, located in Lake Kivu, for its pineapple plantations, birds, or simply for a walking tour to spot monkeys and meet the locals.

The (Lwiro Primate Rehabilitation Centre) is near the park headquarters. It cares for orphaned chimpanzees and monkeys and provides educational activities for locals and tourists alike.

title: Kahuzi-Biéga National Park


text:
Kaiapoi

Kaiapoi is a town just north of Christchurch on the east coast of the South Island of New Zealand. It lies 17 km from central Christchurch, and north of the Waimakariri River. The town is a separate community, but also a commuter suburb of its city neighbour.

Get in
The motorway north from Christchurch, State Highway 1, bypasses just to the west of Kaiapoi. Access to town from the north is from the turnoff just before entering the motorway, otherwise one must travel past town to the next exit and come back from the south. From Christchurch, there are several exits, as most traffic is Christchurch bound.

Metro provides a public bus service from Christchurch on its Blue Line.

Taxi and car rental are also options for travelling the short distance from Christchurch.

See

 * Waimakariri River
 * North Canterbury Food & Wine Trail

Do
Kaiapoi is home to a number of sport and recreational facilities such as the Woodford Glen Speedway, The Cure Rowing Club and is well represented in both codes of Rugby. The town is also home to a strong salmon fishing community.

Eat

 * Teppanyaki Takao
 * Tikka Talk Indian Restaurant
 * Jagz of Sovereign Palms
 * Rivertown Cafe
 * 3 Cows Bar & Restaurant

Sleep
There are few accommodation options in Kaiapoi, with popular options being Copper Beech B&B and Kaiapoi on Williams. Both are situated in the heart of town.

Go next

 * Rangiora – a short distance to the north-west
 * Waipara – further away to the north up SH 1

title: Kaiapoi


text:
Kaifeng

The ancient city of Kaifeng (开封; Kāifēng) is on the southern bank of the Yellow River in eastern Henan Province. The capital of several dynasties, with a history of over 4,100 years, it is a vibrant city today.

History
Kaifeng is one of the oldest cities in China, and was the capital of China during several dynasties including the Xia, Song and Jin and is believed to have been the largest city in the world for most of the 11th century. Marco Polo visited in 1260. Kaifeng's central axis has never changed, and successive iterations of the city were built on top of the ruins of its previous versions.

Around 1,000 years ago, when it was the capital of the Song dynasty, Kaifeng was the most prosperous and busiest city in China and the world. Countless expats immigrated right here and lived their whole lives, especially Arabians and Persians, who afterwards formed a new ethnic group in China, named Hui (回族). Jews also settled in Kaifeng in the Bible Hutong (教经胡同; Jiaojing Hutong). Kaifeng is also famous in China because it is where the huge classic handscroll painting "Along the River During the Qingming Festival" was painted.

By plane
The nearest airport is in Zhengzhou Xinzheng Airport (FTAT Code:CGO), an hour away and ¥160 by taxi or ¥30 by high-speed train (see below). An alternative way from the airport to Kaifeng is to take a shuttle bus from just outside the arrival gate to Civil Aviation Hotel (民航大酒店) in Jinshui Road (¥15), then walk east for around 20 minutes to the mini bus station Deyi Bus Station (德亿汽车站) from where you can take a bus to near Kaifeng Railway Station (¥7).

By train

 * 20210902 Kaifeng Railway Station 01.jpg

By bus
There are buses to Kaifeng from other places in Henan, including from Zhengzhou Long-Distance Bus Station and Luoyang Long Distance Bus Station. There is also long-distance bus service to major cities like Shanghai, Beijing, and Guangzhou.

By taxi
The starting price of a taxi in Kaifeng is 8 RMB. In this RMB 8, the mileage charge of 2 kilometres is included. Anything beyond 2 kilometres will be billed at RMB 1.8 per kilometre.

By bus
Local buses go everywhere within the city and cost ¥1. Bus 20 is a sightseeing bus going to all the major sights.

There is a bus stop at the corner of the carpark in front of the train station. From here bus no 9 and bus no 1 will take you into town - fare ¥1.

By rickshaw
One very good way to get around Kaifeng and see the sites is to take what the locals call "bengbeng"; essentially a tuktuk or motorised rickshaw. 6 kuai will take you from the train station to Henan University's old campus, essentially the length of the city. Short trips should be two or three kuai.

Landmarks and buildings

Do

 * Yellow River - panoramio.jpg
 * Yellow River - panoramio.jpg

Local products

 * Embroidery — dates back to the Northern Song Dynasty
 * Fighting Kites
 * New Year Posters — originally made in nearby Zhuxianzhen and dates back to the Tang Dynasty, shows rural scenes with persons from famous legends.
 * Watermelon — the local watermelons are considered especially tasty
 * Spiced Bean Curd — the local tradition for spiced bean curd dates back at least 2000 years
 * Peanut Cake — has been made here for more than 1000 years

Budget
You will find a lot of snack stands around, which include Sandao (made of flour, bee honey, sugar and stuff), peanut cake, sesame cake etc. There are also many other cheap options.

Drink
Taiwan style milk tea stands in Bookstore Street (Shudian Jie).

Go next
Small town with mainly Karaoke Bar and restaurant to hang out. You can get a taxi ride to the "Huang He" (Yellow River) which is quite near from Kaifeng.

By train or bus, the bus station is across the street from the train Station.

title: Kaifeng


text:
Kaikoura

Kaikoura (pronounced: Kai-kou-ra) is a small coastal town on the east coast (Pacific Ocean) of the South Island of New Zealand, about 180 km north of Christchurch and 130 km south of Blenheim. It is famed for its marine mammals (whales, dolphins, seals) and other sea-life, all of which you can see, some of which you can swim with, and some you can eat. In Māori, kai means "eat" and kōura is "crayfish" (rock lobster). So Kaikoura is a place to eat crayfish!

Understand
Kaikoura lies on a coastal plain and a peninsula between high mountains and the Pacific Ocean. In places along this coast the mountains drop almost straight into the sea, with barely enough flat land for a single railway line, two-lane road and rocky beach, and even then some short tunnels are needed on corners. The steepness of the mountains reflects the underwater geography, with the deep-water Hikurangi Trench and the continental shelf edge lying just offshore south of the peninsula. This makes the ocean around Kaikoura rich in sea life, attracting seals, whales (and humans) to the area to partake in the bounty of the sea.

The town has a similar charm to an east coast USA beach town, with a hodgepodge of signs trying to grab tourists' attention. At the edges of the town, the more relaxed and nature-oriented activities again take precedence.

Kaikoura is the perfect place to enjoy both the wonders of the magnificent Pacific Ocean and the tall, majestic mountains. A great place to stay, it is also an ideal rest stop on a section of State Highway 1 (SH1) that passes through isolated country north and south of the town.

The town was damaged by an earthquake in November 2016 but roads have reopened and repairs to buildings and facilities are well advanced and tourism is in full swing.

History
The Maori settled in Kaikoura long before European colonisation of New Zealand and cultivated the coastal plain, planting kumara, a type of sweet potato. Maori legend has it that Maui placed his foot on the Kaikoura Peninsula to steady himself as he 'fished-up' the North Island.

In 1770, Captain Cook discovered the Kaikoura Peninsula, believing it to be an island at first. Early European settlers used Kaikoura as a whaling station from 1842 and the remains of pots used to render the whale blubber can be seen on the town foreshore.

By bus
Bus and shuttle services running between Picton and Christchurch all stop at Kaikoura. Intercity has two buses per day each way.

By car
Kaikoura is on State Highway 1, two and a half hours drive north of Christchurch and one hour 40 minutes south of Blenheim. The highway has reopened since the 2016 earthquake, but there may be short halts where the road is temporarily restricted to one lane because of ongoing roadworks (as of February 2020).

An alternative and less used route from the south is the Inland Kaikoura Road (Route 70), which branches off State Highway 7 a few kilometres north of Culverden. Kaikoura is part of the Alpine Pacific Triangle touring route, which links three popular recreational destinations, Hanmer Springs, Waipara Valley wine region and Kaikoura. The easy and pleasant drive around the entire touring route is 370 km, beginning at its southern end a 45-min drive from Christchurch International Airport or Christchurch City and finishing at its northern end in Kaikoura.

By train
The Coastal Pacific train runs through Kaikoura on its way between Picton and Christchurch each day from October through April. It departs Christchurch 07:00, then departs Kaikoura 09:54, arriving Picton 12:13. Departs Picton 13:00, then departs Kaikoura 15:28, arriving Christchurch 18:21. The train journey is fantastic, with the mountains on one side and the ocean on the other. The track follows the coast for the last part of the journey into Kaikoura and you can often see fur seals lazing on the rocks. The station is on Whaleway Station Road (presumably named because Whale Watch Kaikoura operate out of the station).

Get around
Kaikoura Shuttles can move you around Kaikoura and further afield, daily 07:00–23:00.

Animals

 * Sperm whales, dolphins, New Zealand fur seals and wandering albatross. Depending on the season you may also see migrating humpback whales, pilot whales, blue whales and southern right whales. Kaikoura often hosts the orca, the largest member of the dolphin family, and is home to the world's smallest and rarest dolphin, the Hector's. Kaikoura also attracts the largest concentration and variety of seabirds on mainland New Zealand, including 13 species of albatross, 14 varieties of petrels and 7 types of shearwater.

Do

 * Fishing trip. There are several operators.
 * Surf reef breaks and point breaks. Two surf shops in Kaikoura plus local board manufacturer Surge Surfboards
 * Fishing trip. There are several operators.
 * Surf reef breaks and point breaks. Two surf shops in Kaikoura plus local board manufacturer Surge Surfboards
 * Surf reef breaks and point breaks. Two surf shops in Kaikoura plus local board manufacturer Surge Surfboards
 * Surf reef breaks and point breaks. Two surf shops in Kaikoura plus local board manufacturer Surge Surfboards
 * Surf reef breaks and point breaks. Two surf shops in Kaikoura plus local board manufacturer Surge Surfboards

Eat
There are plenty of eateries along the main beachfront roads in town, i.e. Beach Rd and West End. Here are a few of them. Some of the marine tour companies have good cafes on their premises too (see above).

Drink
See also the 'Eat' section for more pubs that have restaurants.

Go next

 * North to the small town of Ward and on to Blenheim, the largest town in the Marlborough region.
 * South to Waipara

title: Kaikoura


text:
Kaili

Kaili (凱里; Kǎilǐ) is an industrial city in Guizhou province and the capital of the Qiandongnan Miao and Dong Autonomous Prefecture. At the edge of the city, there is a huge power station burning coal. This makes the whole city dusty and polluted. The rundown buildings, new constructions in progress and other heavy industries (cement factories) don't make Kaili a terrific place for tourism. On the other hand, it is the center of a scenic region with many colorful ethnic minorities in villages nearby, so it does get quite a bit of tourism.

Understand
Kaili City, referred to as "Kai", is a county-level city and capital under the jurisdiction of Qiandongnan Miao and Dong Autonomous Prefecture in Guizhou Province. It is located in the eastern part of Guizhou Province. It is located in the foothills of the Miaoling Mountains in the transition section from the Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau to the central hills. It is on the banks of the Qingshui River. The terrain is high in the southwest and low in the northeast. It belongs to the central subtropical temperate and humid climate zone. It is a typical monsoon climate with a total area. 1569.69 square kilometers. As of October 2022, the city has jurisdiction over 9 streets and 11 towns. By the end of 2022, the city's resident population was 729,100.

Get in
From Guiyang airport, you can take a mini-van (walk to the right from the airport exit till you reach the mini-van station). However, the vans depart when filled, which may cause waits. ¥60 one way as of December 2010.

There are buses from provincial capital Guiyang, a few hours away to the West. You can also reach Kaili by going North and West from Guilin in neighboring Guangxi, by bus via Sanjiang and Congjiang.

Kaili is on a railway line connecting Kunming and Changsha. You could get a train from either of those, or from Guiyang.

From Cheng Yang take the highspeed train from Sanjiang South to Duyun.

From Duyun Highspeed train station there are public buses to the next bus terminal, waiting outside the train station.

From the bus terminal there are frequent buses to Kaili (1½ hour) ending at the train station in Kaili.

Get around
There is a public bus system in Kaili, but all signs are in Chinese. The bus number 1 connects to the train station with the bus terminal in the city centre.

See

 * Traditional markets are held in nearby villages, half an hour to two hours away by local bus. In these markets women in traditional clothes are seen, the things they bring from the villages are exchanged in the market, these are indigo they need to dye their cloth, chicken they take home to offer for worship, handwoven textile they sew for their family, silk floss for embroidery, etc.
 * There are also various festivals. The rain-worship ritual is held in early August in the south of Kaili. There you will see traditional rain-worship, Dong people's music, singing and dancing under their Drum towers, indigo-dyed pleated skirts and festival jackets with silver ornaments. During this summer time, it is a short free time for the work in the fields, locals of Miao and Dong will arrange bullfights and some more festivals, such as Eating-new-rice festival. This is held almost everywhere in the south of Kaili.
 * Travel agencies or hotels can arrange trips to touristic village such as Nanhua, Lang De, Xijiang and Zhaoxing, or if you're feeling adventurous and speak some Chinese, you can get there more cheaply by local bus.

Do

 * Sunday market in Kaili - do not miss to visit the many small side streets.
 * Leishan. A charming and quiet Miao ethnic town 1 hour south by bus from Kaili. A beautiful contrast to the rough industrial make-up of Kaili, and a good place to stay overnight.
 * Lang De Miao village. A bit touristic, but very nice location and higher part of the village is quiet. Go there via Leishan and visit the market there.
 * Also Xijiang, the largest Miao village, is not far away, or go to Datang, with its store houses on pillars in water basins.
 * Chong An Jiang village with its picturesque waterfront. Pay ¥1 for the ferry to the other bank for a great view.
 * Zheng Man Dong Miao village, famous for its Batik works.
 * The two old towns close to Geyi (~3 km); take the bus to Geyi and than a taxi from Geyi or walk.

Eat
Sour fish soup, sour beef soup, wild pork.

Go next
The surrounding area has many villages, mostly of various minority ethnic groups, accessible by bus. Go south rather than north (cement factories and few coal mines for the next 100 km).

Leishan, 40 km south, a small city with few minority ethnic groups and nice buildings. Better place than Kaili to stay overnight.

title: Kaili


text:
Kailua

Kailua (pronounced cai-luu-ah) is on the Windward Coast of Oahu in Hawaii.

Understand
The area includes the following districts:
 * Aikahi - north Kailua
 * Enchanted Lake & Keolu Hills - south Kailua
 * Kaneohe Marine Corps Base - north of Kailua
 * Lanikai - south-east Kailua
 * Maunawili - south-west of Kailua
 * Coconut Grove - Central Kailua

By car

 * From Honolulu: Take the H-1 to Pali Highway (route 61), and follow the Pali through the mountains about 12 miles into Kailua town. The road name on route 61 changes twice: once after Castle Junction (Kamehameha Hwy., route 83) to Kalanianiole Highway, then again after Castle Hospital to Kailua Road.  Don't let this confuse you.
 * From the North Shore/Kaneohe: There are two routes:
 * Take Kamehameha Highway (route 83) west to the Kaneohe Bay Drive & Kamehameha Highway intersection. Take the left turn at the intersection to get onto Kaneohe Bay Drive. Keep going straight as you go over the hill (turns into Mokapu Saddle Road, which becomes Mokapu Blvd.). Take a right turn at the Mokapu Blvd. and Oneawa Street intersection (2nd intersection after the overpass) and keep going straight for about a mile; as this will lead you into Kailua Town.
 * You can also follow Kamehameha Hwy to its end and turn left at the junction with Kalanianaole Hwy (route 61); from there it is about 4 miles to Kailua town.

By bus

 * From Honolulu: Take TheBus route 67 from the beach side city bus stop at Ala Moana Center into Kailua (to get to Ala Moana from Waikiki take route 8, 19, or 20). Wait for the 56 or 57 near the Windward 56/57 sign.  One of these buses comes by about every 25 minutes, travel time is approximately 35–50 minutes, the last bus returning to Honolulu is at about 9:30PM.

By bus
TheBus has 4 routes that travels throughout the Kailua District.
 * 56 (Westbound: Kailua/Kaneohe) (Eastbound: Honolulu/Ala Moana or Downtown/Bishop Street)
 * This route is Ala Moana to & from Windward Mall. It uses Kailua Road, Oneawa Street, and Kaneohe Bay Drive as its main roads.
 * 57 (Westbound: Kailua/Sea Life Park, Kailua/Waimanalo, or Kailua/Keolu Drive) (Eastbound: Honolulu/Ala Moana or Downtown/Bishop Street)
 * Sea Life Park Route: This route uses Kailua Road, Keolu Drive, and Kalanianaole Highway.
 * Waimanalo Route: This route uses Kailua Road and Kalanianaole Highway.
 * Keolu Drive: This route uses Kailua Road and Keolu Drive.
 * 70 (Westbound: Kailua/MCBH/Maunawili) (Eastbound: Lanikai/Kailua Town)
 * 8AM-2PM: starts in Maunawili, goes through Kailua Town, circles on Mokapu Blvd (enters & exits Kaneohe Marine Corps Base), and loops route.
 * 2PM-7PM: starts at busstop on the corner of Hamakua Drive & Kailua Road, passes by Kailua Beach Park, circles around Lanikai, circles around Maunawili, and loops route.

See

 * Sunrises - Got to go to Waikiki for sunsets.
 * Sea Turtles
 * Mokulua islands
 * Mount Olomana

Beaches

Eat
Early birds will find that Kailua has two excellent breakfast places: Boots and Kimo's and Cinnamon's. Both places are quite popular which means that they will fill up quickly; you may wish to get there early to avoid crowds.

title: Kailua


text:
Kailua-Kona

Kailua-Kona, often referred to as "Kona" by the locals, is nestled at the bottom of the Hualalai Volcano. It is the main town on the western side of the Big Island of Hawaii, but with a population of about 20,000 (plus a few thousand more in neighboring suburbs) it is hardly a metropolis. Kona has become known for sport fishing, snorkeling, sunsets and coffee, which is cultivated on the slopes of Mount Hualalai. Since 1981, it has been the starting and finishing point of the original Ironman Triathlon, now known as the Ironman World Championship.

Understand
In ancient times, the area was considered the premier place to live due to the excellent weather and good water. Many kings made their homes here. Later, missionaries built churches and residences, turning the tiny fishing village into a small seaport. It was the home of King Kamehameha I, who united the Hawaiian Islands.

Because the mountains block the northeasterly trade winds, Kona gets very little rain and enjoys more than 300 days of sunshine a year. Kona is also home to the Hawaiian International Billfish Tournament and the Ironman Triathlon World Championship.

Get around
Traffic is congested. Driving in tourist-oriented areas can be slow, but the town is generally not large enough to have serious problems. Walking is a manageable way to travel in town, but you should rent a car if you want to get to resorts, beaches and other cultural locations.

Kailua-Kona is a place for ocean and outdoor recreational activities. Surfing, fishing, diving, boating, snorkeling and swimming are all popular sports in Kailua-Kona, as are hiking, biking, caving, and four wheeling. There are also many important cultural sites in the town, including the first Christian church in the islands, the Queen's Palace, and petroglyphs that can be found at Kaloko-Honokahou National Park.

Do

 * Scuba diving. Kona has some great diving opportunities during the daytime, but the real thing to do here is the Manta Rays Night Dive. All the dive operators in town do a night dive to see the giant mantas, and this is the best and most reliable place in the world to see them. The manta rays of Kona can be up to 16 feet (5m) wide and weigh almost 2000 lbs (900 kg)! On any given night there are 1-20 rays feeding at the dive site, and by bringing lights in the water, plankton (their food) is attracted to feed them. Divers sit in sand on the bottom about 30 feet deep (9 m) and watch these huge but harmless fishes swim inches from their faces. A must do! Though it's at night, there is so much light in the water and it's so shallow that this is an easy dive for novice divers, as well as a very rewarding dive for even the most seasoned divers. Snorkelers can also get a great up close view of the mantas at the same time. All you have to do is float on the water and hold a light, it's very easy. You must be PADI-certified to do the night dive, but if you aren't you can do a snorkel night tour (sometimes called "dive" as well), which offers comparable views and excitement. Well-reviewed popular companies that do Manta Ray Night dives include: Big Island Divers, Jack's Diving Locker, Kona Diving Company, Fair Wind, Kona Honu, Pacific Rim Divers.
 * Recreational Saltwater Angling. All recreational saltwater fishing is conducted on the leeward (west) side of the island. There are no charter operators on the windward (east) side, the seas are generally too rough. Kona is the hub of charter activity on the Big Island, and Honokohau Marina slips the majority of the fishing fleet. The marina is a few miles north of Kailua-Kona just off State Route 19. Prices vary considerably. A shared charter, six people conceivably unknown to one another, may be $90–100 per person for half day, while an exclusive, eight-hour trip, for up to six anglers, could run $800 or higher. The higher figures are for the boat, not per person. Fishing aboard a charter boat requires no license. Do not be fooled by the island's long-standing public relations effort. It is hard, if not impossible, to plan a trip which would perfectly coincide with sure-fire. There are times when Kona fishing is not "drop a line, catch a marlin". The point here is set up a charter with your eyes wide open. Be prepared for possible disappointment. After all, as they say, they call it "fishing and not catching" for a reason.
 * Scuba diving. Kona has some great diving opportunities during the daytime, but the real thing to do here is the Manta Rays Night Dive. All the dive operators in town do a night dive to see the giant mantas, and this is the best and most reliable place in the world to see them. The manta rays of Kona can be up to 16 feet (5m) wide and weigh almost 2000 lbs (900 kg)! On any given night there are 1-20 rays feeding at the dive site, and by bringing lights in the water, plankton (their food) is attracted to feed them. Divers sit in sand on the bottom about 30 feet deep (9 m) and watch these huge but harmless fishes swim inches from their faces. A must do! Though it's at night, there is so much light in the water and it's so shallow that this is an easy dive for novice divers, as well as a very rewarding dive for even the most seasoned divers. Snorkelers can also get a great up close view of the mantas at the same time. All you have to do is float on the water and hold a light, it's very easy. You must be PADI-certified to do the night dive, but if you aren't you can do a snorkel night tour (sometimes called "dive" as well), which offers comparable views and excitement. Well-reviewed popular companies that do Manta Ray Night dives include: Big Island Divers, Jack's Diving Locker, Kona Diving Company, Fair Wind, Kona Honu, Pacific Rim Divers.
 * Recreational Saltwater Angling. All recreational saltwater fishing is conducted on the leeward (west) side of the island. There are no charter operators on the windward (east) side, the seas are generally too rough. Kona is the hub of charter activity on the Big Island, and Honokohau Marina slips the majority of the fishing fleet. The marina is a few miles north of Kailua-Kona just off State Route 19. Prices vary considerably. A shared charter, six people conceivably unknown to one another, may be $90–100 per person for half day, while an exclusive, eight-hour trip, for up to six anglers, could run $800 or higher. The higher figures are for the boat, not per person. Fishing aboard a charter boat requires no license. Do not be fooled by the island's long-standing public relations effort. It is hard, if not impossible, to plan a trip which would perfectly coincide with sure-fire. There are times when Kona fishing is not "drop a line, catch a marlin". The point here is set up a charter with your eyes wide open. Be prepared for possible disappointment. After all, as they say, they call it "fishing and not catching" for a reason.
 * Scuba diving. Kona has some great diving opportunities during the daytime, but the real thing to do here is the Manta Rays Night Dive. All the dive operators in town do a night dive to see the giant mantas, and this is the best and most reliable place in the world to see them. The manta rays of Kona can be up to 16 feet (5m) wide and weigh almost 2000 lbs (900 kg)! On any given night there are 1-20 rays feeding at the dive site, and by bringing lights in the water, plankton (their food) is attracted to feed them. Divers sit in sand on the bottom about 30 feet deep (9 m) and watch these huge but harmless fishes swim inches from their faces. A must do! Though it's at night, there is so much light in the water and it's so shallow that this is an easy dive for novice divers, as well as a very rewarding dive for even the most seasoned divers. Snorkelers can also get a great up close view of the mantas at the same time. All you have to do is float on the water and hold a light, it's very easy. You must be PADI-certified to do the night dive, but if you aren't you can do a snorkel night tour (sometimes called "dive" as well), which offers comparable views and excitement. Well-reviewed popular companies that do Manta Ray Night dives include: Big Island Divers, Jack's Diving Locker, Kona Diving Company, Fair Wind, Kona Honu, Pacific Rim Divers.
 * Recreational Saltwater Angling. All recreational saltwater fishing is conducted on the leeward (west) side of the island. There are no charter operators on the windward (east) side, the seas are generally too rough. Kona is the hub of charter activity on the Big Island, and Honokohau Marina slips the majority of the fishing fleet. The marina is a few miles north of Kailua-Kona just off State Route 19. Prices vary considerably. A shared charter, six people conceivably unknown to one another, may be $90–100 per person for half day, while an exclusive, eight-hour trip, for up to six anglers, could run $800 or higher. The higher figures are for the boat, not per person. Fishing aboard a charter boat requires no license. Do not be fooled by the island's long-standing public relations effort. It is hard, if not impossible, to plan a trip which would perfectly coincide with sure-fire. There are times when Kona fishing is not "drop a line, catch a marlin". The point here is set up a charter with your eyes wide open. Be prepared for possible disappointment. After all, as they say, they call it "fishing and not catching" for a reason.
 * Scuba diving. Kona has some great diving opportunities during the daytime, but the real thing to do here is the Manta Rays Night Dive. All the dive operators in town do a night dive to see the giant mantas, and this is the best and most reliable place in the world to see them. The manta rays of Kona can be up to 16 feet (5m) wide and weigh almost 2000 lbs (900 kg)! On any given night there are 1-20 rays feeding at the dive site, and by bringing lights in the water, plankton (their food) is attracted to feed them. Divers sit in sand on the bottom about 30 feet deep (9 m) and watch these huge but harmless fishes swim inches from their faces. A must do! Though it's at night, there is so much light in the water and it's so shallow that this is an easy dive for novice divers, as well as a very rewarding dive for even the most seasoned divers. Snorkelers can also get a great up close view of the mantas at the same time. All you have to do is float on the water and hold a light, it's very easy. You must be PADI-certified to do the night dive, but if you aren't you can do a snorkel night tour (sometimes called "dive" as well), which offers comparable views and excitement. Well-reviewed popular companies that do Manta Ray Night dives include: Big Island Divers, Jack's Diving Locker, Kona Diving Company, Fair Wind, Kona Honu, Pacific Rim Divers.
 * Recreational Saltwater Angling. All recreational saltwater fishing is conducted on the leeward (west) side of the island. There are no charter operators on the windward (east) side, the seas are generally too rough. Kona is the hub of charter activity on the Big Island, and Honokohau Marina slips the majority of the fishing fleet. The marina is a few miles north of Kailua-Kona just off State Route 19. Prices vary considerably. A shared charter, six people conceivably unknown to one another, may be $90–100 per person for half day, while an exclusive, eight-hour trip, for up to six anglers, could run $800 or higher. The higher figures are for the boat, not per person. Fishing aboard a charter boat requires no license. Do not be fooled by the island's long-standing public relations effort. It is hard, if not impossible, to plan a trip which would perfectly coincide with sure-fire. There are times when Kona fishing is not "drop a line, catch a marlin". The point here is set up a charter with your eyes wide open. Be prepared for possible disappointment. After all, as they say, they call it "fishing and not catching" for a reason.
 * Scuba diving. Kona has some great diving opportunities during the daytime, but the real thing to do here is the Manta Rays Night Dive. All the dive operators in town do a night dive to see the giant mantas, and this is the best and most reliable place in the world to see them. The manta rays of Kona can be up to 16 feet (5m) wide and weigh almost 2000 lbs (900 kg)! On any given night there are 1-20 rays feeding at the dive site, and by bringing lights in the water, plankton (their food) is attracted to feed them. Divers sit in sand on the bottom about 30 feet deep (9 m) and watch these huge but harmless fishes swim inches from their faces. A must do! Though it's at night, there is so much light in the water and it's so shallow that this is an easy dive for novice divers, as well as a very rewarding dive for even the most seasoned divers. Snorkelers can also get a great up close view of the mantas at the same time. All you have to do is float on the water and hold a light, it's very easy. You must be PADI-certified to do the night dive, but if you aren't you can do a snorkel night tour (sometimes called "dive" as well), which offers comparable views and excitement. Well-reviewed popular companies that do Manta Ray Night dives include: Big Island Divers, Jack's Diving Locker, Kona Diving Company, Fair Wind, Kona Honu, Pacific Rim Divers.
 * Recreational Saltwater Angling. All recreational saltwater fishing is conducted on the leeward (west) side of the island. There are no charter operators on the windward (east) side, the seas are generally too rough. Kona is the hub of charter activity on the Big Island, and Honokohau Marina slips the majority of the fishing fleet. The marina is a few miles north of Kailua-Kona just off State Route 19. Prices vary considerably. A shared charter, six people conceivably unknown to one another, may be $90–100 per person for half day, while an exclusive, eight-hour trip, for up to six anglers, could run $800 or higher. The higher figures are for the boat, not per person. Fishing aboard a charter boat requires no license. Do not be fooled by the island's long-standing public relations effort. It is hard, if not impossible, to plan a trip which would perfectly coincide with sure-fire. There are times when Kona fishing is not "drop a line, catch a marlin". The point here is set up a charter with your eyes wide open. Be prepared for possible disappointment. After all, as they say, they call it "fishing and not catching" for a reason.
 * Scuba diving. Kona has some great diving opportunities during the daytime, but the real thing to do here is the Manta Rays Night Dive. All the dive operators in town do a night dive to see the giant mantas, and this is the best and most reliable place in the world to see them. The manta rays of Kona can be up to 16 feet (5m) wide and weigh almost 2000 lbs (900 kg)! On any given night there are 1-20 rays feeding at the dive site, and by bringing lights in the water, plankton (their food) is attracted to feed them. Divers sit in sand on the bottom about 30 feet deep (9 m) and watch these huge but harmless fishes swim inches from their faces. A must do! Though it's at night, there is so much light in the water and it's so shallow that this is an easy dive for novice divers, as well as a very rewarding dive for even the most seasoned divers. Snorkelers can also get a great up close view of the mantas at the same time. All you have to do is float on the water and hold a light, it's very easy. You must be PADI-certified to do the night dive, but if you aren't you can do a snorkel night tour (sometimes called "dive" as well), which offers comparable views and excitement. Well-reviewed popular companies that do Manta Ray Night dives include: Big Island Divers, Jack's Diving Locker, Kona Diving Company, Fair Wind, Kona Honu, Pacific Rim Divers.
 * Recreational Saltwater Angling. All recreational saltwater fishing is conducted on the leeward (west) side of the island. There are no charter operators on the windward (east) side, the seas are generally too rough. Kona is the hub of charter activity on the Big Island, and Honokohau Marina slips the majority of the fishing fleet. The marina is a few miles north of Kailua-Kona just off State Route 19. Prices vary considerably. A shared charter, six people conceivably unknown to one another, may be $90–100 per person for half day, while an exclusive, eight-hour trip, for up to six anglers, could run $800 or higher. The higher figures are for the boat, not per person. Fishing aboard a charter boat requires no license. Do not be fooled by the island's long-standing public relations effort. It is hard, if not impossible, to plan a trip which would perfectly coincide with sure-fire. There are times when Kona fishing is not "drop a line, catch a marlin". The point here is set up a charter with your eyes wide open. Be prepared for possible disappointment. After all, as they say, they call it "fishing and not catching" for a reason.
 * Recreational Saltwater Angling. All recreational saltwater fishing is conducted on the leeward (west) side of the island. There are no charter operators on the windward (east) side, the seas are generally too rough. Kona is the hub of charter activity on the Big Island, and Honokohau Marina slips the majority of the fishing fleet. The marina is a few miles north of Kailua-Kona just off State Route 19. Prices vary considerably. A shared charter, six people conceivably unknown to one another, may be $90–100 per person for half day, while an exclusive, eight-hour trip, for up to six anglers, could run $800 or higher. The higher figures are for the boat, not per person. Fishing aboard a charter boat requires no license. Do not be fooled by the island's long-standing public relations effort. It is hard, if not impossible, to plan a trip which would perfectly coincide with sure-fire. There are times when Kona fishing is not "drop a line, catch a marlin". The point here is set up a charter with your eyes wide open. Be prepared for possible disappointment. After all, as they say, they call it "fishing and not catching" for a reason.

Buy
The main shopping drag in Kailua-Kona is Ali'i Drive. In addition to lots of bars and restaurants, here you'll find a variety of shops catering to many different interests. Lots of small shops here sell T-shirts, sunglass, sandals and souvenirs of all sorts. Others specialize in jewelry or local arts and crafts.

Go next

 * Pu'uhonua o Honaunau Also known as the City of Refuge National Historical Park - located just a few miles south of Kona town near Captain Cook. Designated a national historical park in 1961, this 182-acre site includes the puuhonua and a complex of archeological sites, including temple platforms, royal fishponds, sledding tracks and some coastal village sites. Hikers can follow a trail that winds along the coast for about a mile to the park boundary. The trail includes several archeological sites, including heiau (temples) and sledding tracks.
 * Waipi'o Valley  Located along the Hamakua Coast on the northeastern coast. Down in the valley there is a black sand beach. On either side of the valley are cliffs reaching almost 2000 feet in elevation with several waterfalls. Hiking in the Waipio Valley is a good adventure. The road down is very steep. Only 4-wheel drive vehicles are allowed on it. Many hikers walk down and then try to hitch a ride back up.
 * Kealakekua Bay State Historical Park Site of the first extensive contact between Hawaiians and Westerners with the arrival of Captain Cook in 1779. Viewing of Hikiau Heiau, a traditional religious site, and the Captain Cook monument at a distance across Kealakekua Bay. The bay is a marine life conservation district, a popular destination for kayaking, scuba diving and snorkeling.
 * Captain Cook - A small town known for its coffee.
 * Captain Cook - A small town known for its coffee.

title: Kailua-Kona


text:
Lower Northland

Lower Northland is the southern part of the Northland region of New Zealand. It includes two local government districts, Whangarei District and Kaipara District. It includes the northern half of the Kaipara Harbour – the southern half of the harbour is in the Auckland Region.

Cities

 * – the main town in Kaipara District
 * – the main city of Northland

See

 * Beaches. The long, exposed beaches of the west coast and the beaches of the more indented east coast, from Langs Beach in the south to Whangaruru in the north.

Go next

 * Bay of Islands
 * Hokianga to the north (60 minutes drive from Dargaville)
 * Sand dunes – sandstone sculptures on top of dune opposite Opononi
 * Koutu Boulders – biggest concretions in the world
 * Wellsford and the rest of the Auckland Region to the south
 * Wellsford and the rest of the Auckland Region to the south

title: Lower Northland


text:
Kaiping

Kaiping (开平; Kāipíng in Mandarin, Hoi1pen6 in the local dialect) is a pastoral area in Guangdong, China, full of rice fields and old-fashioned villages, that is known for its hundreds of diāolóu (碉楼). These watchtower dwellings, scattered around the countryside, were built in the early 20th century by overseas Chinese in a mixture of western and eastern styles.

The watchtowers, which were built to guard against bandits, are a testament to the importance of overseas Chinese in the history of China and the world. Their unique architecture makes them fascinating and exotic both to Chinese people from other areas and to visitors from abroad.

Understand
Kaiping (population 700,000) falls under the administration of Jiangmen City in the Pearl River Delta and is located on the Tanjiang River, 140 km (87 mi) away from Guangzhou. The urban area lies on the eastern edge of the county-level city, which is shaped like a big question mark (see map in pink).

Talk
Kaiping dialect is a variant of Cantonese that is very similar to the dialect of nearby Taishan but only slightly mutually intelligible with standard Cantonese. However, as Cantonese is the lingua franca of Guangdong province, most locals will be able to speak and understand standard Cantonese. Mandarin is the primary language of instruction in all schools so most younger individuals would also be reasonably fluent in it.

By train
(开平南站) is the city's high-speed rail station, opened in 2018 and providing service from Guangzhou, Zhanjiang, and other cities, with connections from all over Guangdong and the rest of China. The trains are fast enough to make Kaiping and its diaolou doable as a day trip from Guangzhou or an overnight trip from any major city in the Pearl River Delta.

Taxi drivers wait around looking for passengers after each train arrives. They're cheaper than Didi if you haggle (which you should).

By bus
Kaiping has two long-distance bus stations, Yicizhan (义祠站) and Changshazongzhan (长沙总站) along the downtown bus terminal at the intersection of Xijao Rd and Musha Rd. Yicizhan is most likely the starting point for your journey into the surrounding villages of Kaiping town.

From Guangzhou, you can take a bus from Fangcun bus station (芳村汽车站) at Kengkou Metro Station; the ride takes about 2 hours and should cost ¥57.

From Zhanjiang, take the daily bus at 14:00 in around 3 hours to Kaiping's central bus terminal at the intersection of Xijao Rd and Musha Rd.

From Macau, take the border crossing to Zhuhai and then find a bus station around 100 m to the right along the main road after you exit the border control building. The ride to Kaiping should take a little more than 2 hours and cost ¥70.

By car
Because the diaolou and Kaiping's other attractions are spread out around a large rural area, driving is the most convenient and efficient way to get to them. Many travelers hire a car in town; drivers wait around at the train station looking for passengers. Around ¥300 should be enough for a half day (5 hours) of sightseeing. The taxi drivers don't often see this much money, so there's no need to offer them any more.

By bus
Kaiping has bus lines which connect to most of the major diaolou villages (more or less—you might find yourself walking a kilometer or two). There are also tourist shuttles which run between the sites, somewhat infrequently.

By bike
Kaiping is a great place for biking. The roads are pretty flat, and the entrances to some small villages are too narrow for a car. On two wheels you can explore the farms, villages, and diaolou scattered through the countryside. Just wander around, going off on side roads to see whatever cluster of houses looks interesting. The villages here show you the other side of China's famously rapid urban development—since most people have moved to big cities, you'll see abandoned villages, and lots of nearly empty ones with just a few older folks tending the fields. Use Baidu Maps so you don't get too lost, but be warned that it doesn't have many of the smaller roads in this area. You can also ask for directions—Mandarin is probably adequate but out in the villages Cantonese or Kaiping dialect is helpful.

By foot
It's possible to hike around between some of the villages and towns around the main diaolou areas. A collection of paths has been designated as the "Kaiping Cultural Tourism trail of hometown of overseas Chinese" (中国侨都步行径).

Kaiping Diaolou and Villages
Very close to the town of Kaiping there are a number of small villages and small houses that were built by overseas Chinese during the early 20th century. These are the Kaiping Diaolou, by far the most famous attractions in Kaiping. Most buildings resemble the style of western or middle eastern culture mixed with traditional Chinese elements. Often there were designed to defend against bandits. See The Diaolou of Kaiping for background. The buildings have not been taken care of since, but the government has started to restore and preserve them. Four of them (Zilicun, Sanmenli, Majianglong, and Jinjiangli) have together been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The style of these buildings is often cheaply copied by many "modern" buildings throughout Guangdong. Kaiping diaolou is also the setting for China's highest grossing domestic film "Let the Bullets Fly" (让子弹飞) with Chow Yun-Fat. Visit the website provided for directions as it is a very large and complex place to visit that will easily take an entire day to see and possibly more.

There are tonnes of Diaolou across the countryside and you will get bored of them within a day, so don't worry too much about skipping some. As of November 2019 there is a tourism system set up whereby five major sites can be visited individually for varying prices, or ¥180 when purchased as a joint ticket. There is also a smaller joint ticket including just the most popular sites of Liyuan and Zilicun for ¥150. Smaller kids are free. The joint ticket is valid for two days and includes four villages with diaolou you can go up into, plus one other site:

In general, each of these four main villages has about two diaolou you can go up in. Many of these diaolou have been restored with the types of furniture and personal items that they might have had when they were occupied, and the villages have other interesting historic buildings too. Some of the villages have a signed "Suggested route" or "Best tourist route" that you can follow to see the most interesting parts of the village. Most signs are in Chinese and English; some have Korean and Japanese too. The entrances to the villages have machines where you can fill up a water bottle for free, so there's no need to keep buying bottled water.

For those interested in diaolou architecture, see The Diaolou of Kaiping (1842-1937) for background. It may also be a good idea to look for accommodation in one of the small townships surrounding Kaiping. (Kaiping city is a fairly standard modern Chinese town.) Xiangang (蚬冈镇), for example, has entire small streets fitted with baroque-like facades cast in concrete.

Other major historic areas:

Other sites around the main diaolou area:

Do
Hot springs in the town of Chishui (赤水 Chìshuǐ) near Jinjiangli.

Buy

 * Bu Xing Jie (步行街). There are 2 floors of this street ; First floor having 262 shops and second floor having 275 shops. This street features fashion clothing, footwear, stationery, accessories, electronic appliances, etc. Beside the stores are many little stalls selling snacks from drinks to noodles. The second floors features many shops where you can take photos of yourself which is like a sticker (sticker photos).
 * Yi Hua Plaza (益华广场). At commercial golden mile of Kaiping, Mu Sha Rd. Built by Hong Kong Capital Groups and Sino Groups' investment. As a multi-functional commercial square, it has an area of 68,000 square metres, 8-storey (a layer in the basement), and includes department stores, supermarkets, brand-name shops, restaurants, snack street, Western-style fast food, movie theaters, kids playground, Internet cafe, karaoke, sauna, fitness, foot, Steppenwolf, rooms, meetings, car park, etc. It is the largest commercial centre.
 * Baihui Market (百汇). Baihui Market is relatively close to Yi Hua Plaza. It's just like Bu Xing Jie, but there are several columns of shops that sell tea, fruits, stationery (pens and pencils and paper), snacks, and a lot of other stuff.
 * Easco City (东汇城), Easco City is a shopping complex with many places to eat, shop, and play. It is just like Yi Hua Plaza, but more modern.
 * Baihui Market (百汇). Baihui Market is relatively close to Yi Hua Plaza. It's just like Bu Xing Jie, but there are several columns of shops that sell tea, fruits, stationery (pens and pencils and paper), snacks, and a lot of other stuff.
 * Easco City (东汇城), Easco City is a shopping complex with many places to eat, shop, and play. It is just like Yi Hua Plaza, but more modern.

Eat
A local specialty is clay pot rice (煲仔饭 bāozǎifàn), rice cooked in a covered clay pot with meat and vegetables on top. Mix it together when it's served—the sauce on the rice is delicious. Some restaurants can make a version without meat for vegetarians.

 * Café de Coral, in the front of Yi Hua Plaza.
 * Café de Coral, in the front of Yi Hua Plaza.
 * Café de Coral, in the front of Yi Hua Plaza.

Sleep
Most options are downtown, and it's perfectly feasible to do the diaolou as a day trip from your more centrally located lodging. There are also guesthouses and hostels out among the diaolou, with a particular concentration in the towns of Chikan and Tangkou. Staying out in these places lets you enjoy the rural scenery, and they make a good base for exploring the countryside by bicycle.

 * Hyatt Regency Kaiping (开平君悦酒店). This is a renowned international brand hotel providing upscale accommodation and conference services.

Go next

 * A 15-minute bus ride south will bring you to the neighboring town of Taishan, which has a few hundred diaolou of its own.
 * 30 minutes west are the numerous hot springs of Enping.
 * Further west is Yangjiang, the knife manufacturing capital of China.
 * 45 minutes north on the way to Guangzhou is Heshan with its temples in the mountains overlooking the highway.
 * The closest major city (over 1 million population) is Jiangmen.
 * Zhaoqing, a nice city with old city walls, a massive lake with many islands and a national park close by.

title: Kaiping


text:
Kairouan

Kairouan (Arabic: القيروان), sometimes spelled Kairwan, Kayrawan or Al Qayrawan, is a city in Tunisia. It's a holy city in Islam, ranking fourth after Mecca, Medina and Jerusalem as a place of pilgrimage. Reputedly seven visits here are the equivalent of one to Mecca. With its large mosques and rich cultural history it has been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Get in

 * Buses run to Kairouan from the major cities, Tunis, Sousse (2 hrs), and Sfax. Touts from the carpets shops have been known to board the bus a few kilometres outside the city and befriend tourists to lure them into their shops.
 * Louages run from many destinations into Kairouan; these are probably the best and most frequent way to get into the city. It takes 2 hours and 10.25 DT from Tunis (as of June 2016). There is no direct public transport between Kairouan and El Jem, you'd need to change in Sousse.
 * Kairouan is not located on a train line.

The stations for both buses and louages are to the northwest of the Medina. Though they may well drop you off at a Medina Gate if requested.

Get around
The Medina is best explored on foot, partially to absorb the atmosphere and partially because some areas are inaccessible to anything bigger. The main street that links the Gate of Martyrs (south) to the Gate of Tunis (northwest) is rather touristic.

Many of the shops near the main mosque will tempt you in with views over the complex, expect to have a look around the shop on the way out, if you don't buy anything a small donation would be polite.

See

The old Medina with its narrow passageways and streets is in general a nice place to just wander around aimlessly. If it looks familiar it may well be as it was used in Raiders of the Lost Ark to double as Cairo. For those interested in Islamic teachings there are several madrasas, or Islamic schools, in the centre of town that are open for visitors. Three communities coexist here - the Bedouins, the Berbers, the Arabs - you can tell the houses apart by the doors - ring doorknockers, the hands of fatimas, or just Arabic script. The number of rings or hands denote also the number of families in the same house. Green doors are mosques.

Do

 * Sit and enjoy a tea in a traditional tea house if the heat gets a little too much.
 * Walk the town and appreciate the beautiful and intricate designs.

Buy
Kairouan is particularly famous for its carpets and visiting a shop is an integral and sometimes unexpected part of experiencing the city. Carpets are graded by their fineness, the number of knots in a square metre, with a normal weave from 10,000 to 40,000, fine weave from 65,000-90,000 and extra fine from 160,000 - 500,000. Silk carpets may be over 500,000 knots per square metre.

Eat

 * A speciality of Kairouan is the sticky pastry makrouhd, it can be found all through Tunisia - dates, sesame, and honey. You can tell most shops how much you're willing to spend, and they'll give you a box of pastries - you can mix and match with others!

Drink
There are a few nice tea houses on the road from the Main Gate into the centre of the city

Sleep
Many tiny hotels dotted all around town, without much online presence.

Go next

 * Sousse
 * Sfax

ケロアン

title: Kairouan


text:
Kaiserslautern

Kaiserslautern is in Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany.

Understand
Nicknamed "K-Town", Kaiserlautern was home to many military personnel during the Cold War, and several American military installations, including Ramstein Air Base, are still in operation nearby.

In the Middle Ages, the town was chosen by Emperor Friedrich I (Barbarossa) as a seat of government.

Kaiserslautern was the smallest of the twelve host cities for the 2006 World Cup.

Touristically, this town has not much to offer but some nice restaurants, bars and nightclubs.

 * Check out the city tourism site for more information.

By plane
While the biggest military airport in Europe is Ramstein, just outside Kaiserslautern, the city doesn't have any commercial airports of its own.
 * Frankfurt Airport is the easiest way to get in by plane, one of the busiest airports in Europe, with numerous destinations all over the world. Lufthansa offers a shuttle bus service between Frankfurt and Kaiserslautern, bookable under destination code KLT in conjunction with most European and intercontinental flights to/from Frankfurt. You can also book the shuttle bus on its own for EUR 27 one way with Lufthansa directly if you want to connect with other flights, or to high-speed trains via the airports railway station. There are multiple buses per day, the bus ride takes 1h 45min and counts as a Lufthansa flight for Miles&More purposes. See also below for the DeLux shuttle serving the same route. Rail&fly is also an option if not flying Lufthansa. For more on that topic see rail air alliances
 * Saarbrücken Airport  is close to Kaiserslautern, but offers very few flights, mainly to other German cities and to Luxembourg.
 * Frankfurt-Hahn Airport  and Baden Airpark (Karlsruhe/Baden-Baden)   are further away but have many destinations with low-cost companies.
 * Stuttgart Airport  and Luxembourg Airport   are also further away but have good connections.

By train
Regional trains travel to Kaiserlautern from Saarbrücken (55 min, €12.20). An S-Bahn line connects Kaiserslautern with Neustadt(Weinstr) (30 min), Mannheim (1 hour) and Heidelberg (1¼ hour). An ICE from Frankfurt takes 1½ hours and costs €36. There are also several ICE and TGV trains each day from Paris East Station (2½ hours, €87).

By car
Kaiserslautern is located on the A6 Federal Motorway. The city is 65 km away from Mannheim, 70 km away from Saarbrücken and 120 km away from Frankfurt (on A63). Hitchhikers can also look for cars online.

By bus
see also: Intercity buses in Germany

A private bus line Luxembourg - Trier - Kaiserslautern - Mainz - Frankfurt Airport - Frankfurt am Main is run by DeLux Express and runs every 2 to 3 hours, taking 1½ hours and costing €20. See also above for the Lufthansa shuttle bus.

From Frankfurt airport, military travelers can take a shuttle bus to various posts around Kaiserslautern, Ramstein, and Landstuhl. Most shuttle services will cost you around €45 one way. At the airport, go to the U.S.O. office and ask them to arrange for a shuttle, you'll need to have your ID ready.

Get around
Kaiserslautern has a city bus system. It has also night buses, but mostly during weekends. You can get tickets from the driver for €1.90 one-way. Group tickets, day tickets and three-day tickets are also available. The buses also accept US dollars.

An popular way to get around is by bicycle. Most of the streets have bicycle lanes, either as a part of the sidewalk or near the car lanes. You can get usually get from one side of the city to the opposite in less than an hour. However, be aware that some streets have steep hills. You can rent a bicycle online for €15/day (€9/day reduced) and pick it from the Central Station. VELO Projekt also lends bicycles for 6 months for a deposit of €75.

See

Go next

 * Worms

title: Kaiserslautern


text:
Kaitaia

Kaitaia is a town near the southern end of Ninety Mile Beach in the Far Far North of New Zealand. It is the biggest town (5,000 people) in the Far Far North and the last town of any size before Cape Reinga at the northern tip of the North Island.

By plane
Barrier Air flies from Auckland to Kaitaia Airport up to 3 times a day, flight time 65 minutes.

By car
Kaitaia is along State Highway 1.

By bus
Bus services are provided by Intercity Coach from Auckland changing at Kerikeri.

See

 * Ninety Mile Beach – it stretches a long way north obviously, but the southern end is 13 km (12 minutes drive) away at Ahipara.
 * Ninety Mile Beach – it stretches a long way north obviously, but the southern end is 13 km (12 minutes drive) away at Ahipara.
 * Ninety Mile Beach – it stretches a long way north obviously, but the southern end is 13 km (12 minutes drive) away at Ahipara.

Do

 * Coach tours to Cape Reinga along Ninety Mile Beach
 * Golf: Carrington GC is on the Karikari Peninsula.

Buy
Most restaurants and shops can be found along Commerce St.

Go next

 * Cape Reinga
 * Kohukohu
 * Mangamuka Bridge
 * Whangaroa

title: Kaitaia


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Kajaani

Kajaani (Swedish Kajana) is a town and municipality in Finland and the administrative capital of the Kainuu region. It is southeast of Oulujärvi (Lake Oulu), which drains to the Gulf of Bothnia along the Oulujoki (river Oulu).

Understand
Kajaani is a typical small and quiescent former industrial city. For many visitors, Kajaani is a stop on their way to the Vuokatti skiing centre, 40 km east of the city. As Kajaani is the largest city (36,000 inhabitants in 2020) in Kainuu, there are more shopping opportunities than in Vuokatti. Before 2022, Russian tourists staying in Vuokatti were a common sight in the shops of Kajaani in the winter.

Talk
As in most of Finland, the English language is widely understood, as is Swedish to some extent, since both are compulsory languages in Finnish comprehensive schools. Since the Kainuu region borders Russia, that language holds an important position as residents from both countries visit the other for business and pleasure. Some residents can also speak German and French.

The locally strong Finnish accent adds extra vowels to words. Even if you're capable of speaking and understanding Finnish at a basic level, you may find it hard to understand some elderly people. For the same reason, English spoken by the locals may in some cases be hard to understand.

By car
Highway 5, one of the major roads between northern and southern Finland passes through Kajaani, highway 6 links the city with Joensuu, highways 22 and 28 links Kajaani to Oulu and Kokkola respectively on the west coast. Roads are well maintained and taken good care of overall.

In the Kainuu region (and Finland generally) driving is a very practical way to get around and that's not only because of the long distances (and the weaker public transport). Landscapes are magnificent and it's so relaxing to drive around in almost empty roads. Just remember those few common things (see article Finland and get around by Car section) and you'll enjoy driving!

Moose alert! If you are continuing your trip towards north or east from Kajaani, watch out for elks and reindeers that may run out of nowhere to the road. Be cautious particularly in dusk and dawn when driving trough vastly uninhabited areas.

By train
There are many trains every day from Helsinki via Kuopio or Oulu. Kajaani train station is near the centre within walking distance. See VR.

By bus
There is a daily bus from Helsinki (needs bus change), 3-4 buses a day from Oulu and Joensuu and even more frequent bus traffic from Kuopio. Bus services are available also to Tampere, Turku, Jyväskylä and Kuusamo. For more information Matkahuolto and Onnibus

By foot
City centre and main attractions, like the castle, can be easily reached by foot.

Maps and more information about the city and Kainuu region can be found from Kajaani-Info. Info is next to the town hall (address Pohjolankatu 13). Tourist information is also available in the VisitKajaani website.

By car
Driving everywhere in the town area is easy, as the city government continually improves driving conditions by building roudabouts, improving intersections and streets in general. There are minor weekday rushes in the mornings and afternoons, when residents head to work and home from there, however they usually don't last long. Finding parking space is not usually a problem, but you may have to search little longer during those "rush moments".

By bus
The only mode of public transportation is the bus. The routes are operated by the city of Kajaani, timetables are available on the website of the city. You can use matka.fi or Nysse mobile app to seek local bus routes between given locations and addresses. Waltti mobile app can be used for ticket purchase. Local transport operates during weekdays and Saturdays but not on Sundays.

You can also use long-distance bus lines of Matkahuolto for travelling inside Kajaani. During Sundays long-distance buses are the only form of public transport inside Kajaani. Buses from Kajaani bus station to Sotkamo for south direction, to Oulu, Rovaniemi and Kuhmo for northeast direction, to Kokkola and Oulu for southwest direction.

Electric kick scooters
Finnish Move on East rents electric kick scooters for use in the centre.

By taxi

 * Smartphone apps: Valopilkku, 02 Taksi, Taksini
 * Smartphone apps: Valopilkku, 02 Taksi, Taksini
 * Smartphone apps: Valopilkku, 02 Taksi, Taksini

Do

Eat
There is a list of lunch offers for each day.

Stay safe
Kajaani is a very safe city. The area between Kauppakatu and Välikatu may be a little restless during weekend nights when bars close their doors at 02:00 or 03:00 and drunken local people wander out.

title: Kajaani


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Kajang

Kajang is a city in southeastern Selangor.

Understand
Kajang, with a population of 343,000 (as of 2010) is a town in the southeastern part of Selangor, Malaysia. It is about 20 km south of Malaysia's capital, Kuala Lumpur.

Get in
Kajang is accessible from Kuala Lumpur by car, public bus and train.

By car
Kajang lies along the historical Federal Route 1, the principal road of Peninsular Malaysia, linking Kuala Lumpur to Johor Bahru in the south of the peninsula.

Several tolled roads around Kajang and its suburbs make it more well connected. Indirectly, the North-South Expressway (PLUS, route E2) serves Kajang and the adjacent planned town of Bandar Baru Bangi via exit 21.

Between the Taman Connaught and Bukit Dukung is the Grand Saga toll road (route E7). It is the only tolled stretch of Federal Route 1, and it is the most direct route from downtown Kuala Lumpur to Kajang.

The SILK Expressway (E18, also tolled) is a beltway around downtown Kajang, surrounding its northern, eastern and southern suburbs.

If you are travelling from Klang, the state capital Shah Alam, or even Puchong and Putrajaya, the South Klang Valley Expressway (route E26) is a good choice (in spite of the tolls).

Get around
One of the well-known places in Kajang is Sungai Chua. The population of Kajang has grown rapidly in the past few years. Kajang townships include the Prima Saujana, Taman Kantan Permai and Kajang Perdana (Kajang Highlands) housing estates. Areas surrounding these townships are easily accessible via the SILK Expressway.

By bus
Traveling by bus is the cheapest way to get to Kajang. RapidKL serves numerous routes frequently connecting Kajang with Kuala Lumpur on the northern side and Beranang on the southern side. The frequency may reduced during peak hours due to traffic congestion.
 * RapidKL Kajang bus route

Buy
Kajang has a host of new and old shopping complexes. The Billion Shopping Center in Kajang town has a larger counterpart in Taman Technology Kajang. Metro Kajang and Kota Kajang are two other shopping complexes in Kajang. Giant and Tesco have hypermarkets in the city. The Metro Point shipping complex is near Kajang High School.

Kajang also has night markets (better known to locals as Pasar Malam). If you want to get a taste of local delicacies, night markets great place as they offer lots of choices. One of the popular night market are Pasar Malam Taman Mesra, located at Jalan Sungai Sekamat, off Jalan Cheras at the corner of Shell petrol station.

Eat
Kajang is famous for its sate Kajang (satay), a form of skewered barbecued meat. Informally, Kajang is known as the "Satay Town", and is famous among tourists and locals alike.

Non-halal food

Steamed fish and spicy soup from Kajang and Semenyih is also popular.

There are also Pizza Hut, KFC, and McDonald's franchises in Kajang town. The local franchise Sate Kajang Haji Samuri started in Kajang.

Go next

 * Seremban
 * Port Dickson
 * Kuala Lumpur

title: Kajang