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Yunnan tourist trail

This itinerary describes a popular north-bound route along national highway G214, known in Chinese as 滇藏线. This route covers some of lushest scenery and best preserved traditional cities in Yunnan. There are other popular destinations in Yunnan which are not covered here, notably the tropical paradise Xishuangbanna in the south at the Laotian border and the trip west toward Ruili at the border with Myanmar (Burma).

The northern end of this route is in a largely Tibetan-speaking area that was once part of the Tibetan province of Kham and today is right on the border of Tibet, so this route can be part of an Overland to Tibet journey.

The big attractions of this route are as follows:
 * Kunming, provincial capital, transport hub, and starting point for this route.
 * The lovely old cities of Dali and Lijiang, both former capitals of small kingdoms and both major tourist towns today
 * Sensational trekking areas, notably Tiger Leaping Gorge near Lijiang or, going further afield, Three parallel rivers
 * Mountainous areas and Tibetan peoples in Northern Yunnan, around Zhongdian and Deqin

The route is mostly uphill. The starting point, Kunming, is at 2000 meters (nearly 7,000 feet), already considerably higher than Britain's highest peak Ben Nevis or America's "mile high city" of Denver, Colorado. From there, each stop is higher, all the way to Deqin which is at 3500 m (roughly 11,500 feet), about the same as Lhasa or Cuzco. It is certainly necessary to be cautious about altitude sickness on this route, but most travellers will be just fine if they spend a few days in each major destination, giving their bodies time to acclimatise before going higher.

Most travellers will find it easy to schedule in a way that avoids altitude sickness, since the various places on the route are all interesting and they feel quite different to the traveller:
 * Kunming is a major Chinese city and has been for hundreds of years; it has the strange mix of fascinating history and frantic modernity common to all such cities. As a large city and provincial capital, it also has a good range of museums, theaters, etc.
 * Dali feels like a backpacker hangout, similar to Yangshuo or various destinations on the Banana Pancake Trail in Southeast Asia. There are Western restaurants and tourists everywhere.
 * Lijiang is among the most beautiful cities in China and the Chinese have certainly noticed; there are Chinese tour groups everywhere.
 * Zhongdian (now Shangrila) feels more like a Tibetan town than a city in central China.
 * Deqin is pretty much purely Tibetan.

What they all have in common are mountainous scenery, interesting architecture, ethnic minorities and lovely handicrafts — wood, silver and especially fabric items.

Getting to Kunming
Most travelers will reach Yunnan via the capital, Kunming. There are several ways to do this: See Hong Kong to Kunming overland for other routes within China.
 * By air
 * from any major city in China, with direct flights in many cases
 * from Southeast Asia; see Discount airlines in Asia
 * from India; there are direct flights from at least Delhi and Kolkata
 * By train
 * from the north, from Chengdu
 * from the northeast, from central China, via Guiyang
 * from the southeast, via Nanning

Overland from Southeast Asia
The nearest SE Asian neighbour, Lao Cai, Vietnam allows you to walk over the border, to Hekou. Then plenty of buses (fares ranging from ¥85 to 120) to Kunming. A very lively and hassle free overland crossing.

From Luang Prabang, Laos night sleeper buses take you to Kunming for about $50 to 60 US but the ride is very long and tiring and you will miss out on southern Yunnan, which is one of the most interesting areas of the province. Better to go slow, spend a night in Mengla or Menglun to check out the Menglun botanical gardens. Then consider:
 * Westward via Jinghong and Menghai to Menglian and onwards to Lincang and Dehong, Ruili, Tengchong, Baoshan, etc.
 * North-north-westward via Simao to Pu'er, then either:
 * Head west to Jinggu and either continue west to Lincang crossing a spectacular part of the upper Mekong, or north via Jingdong to Dali.
 * Head north to Kunming, optionally via Shiping, Jianshui, and Fuxian Lake and Chengjiang.
 * North-north-eastward via the road along the Laos border. This is spectacular mountainous country with some great silverware still being sold in markets along the way. You will pass the Black River. Do try to stop somewhere and visit some small villages. This road will bring you up to the back of the Yuanyang Rice Terraces, perched up above the Red River which flows from Dali to Haiphong in Vietnam via Hekou and Hanoi. From there you can turn toward Vietnam, Dali, Shiping, Jianshui, Gejiu, Mengzi, the rest of Honghe Prefecture, or east in to little visited Wenshan.

See Banana Pancake Trail for related routes within Southeast Asia.

Kunming to Dali
Kunming to Dali is now served by a 2-hour express train service. You can purchase train tickets in the train station or online (Like Ctrip).

Alternately, it is five hours by bus, or there is a slower train. Both used to be quite popular with tourists, but except perhaps for those on tight budgets most now take the express train. Unfortunately, the slow train is also popular with thieves; watch your belongings.

The train and most buses (even ones that say "Dali") deliver you not to Dali Old Town but to Xiaguan, the nearby capital of Dali Prefecture. See the Dali article for information on the rest of the way.

This route somewhat overlaps the Burma Road built during World War II and running from Kunming to Lashio in Myanmar. Not much of the old road is left, but bits of it and some milestones are still visible.

Dali to Lijiang
Train takes 2 hours from Dali Xiaguan to Lijiang.

Bus takes 2½ hours when taking the newly complete express way, 4 hours by the old route. Ask the driver before boarding.

For a taste of a "real" old town, stop by Shaxi just off the road, halfway in between. Ask the bus driver to drop you off at Jianchuan and take a shared ride van (10 Yuan) to Shaxi.

There is also a comfortable 10-hour overnight bus direct from Dali to Zhongdian. Taking this when headed north may not be the best choice since you miss some great scenery by traveling at night, it bypasses Lijiang, and the rapid change from Dali's 2000 m to Zhongdian's 3200 m risks altitude sickness. However, it can save time and hotel costs for southbound travellers.

Lijiang to Shangrila (Zhongdian)
This is either a 2.5-hour bus trip or a 1.5-hour train trip (the Lijiang-Shangrila Railway commenced operations in November 2023). The scenery is great; it includes mountains, terraced fields, picturesque villages and the upper reaches of the Yangtze river.

If trekking is your ambition, stop by half way at Hu Tiao Xia Zhen (Tiger Leaping Gorge Town) to trek the famous Tiger Leaping Gorge.

Zhongdian to Deqin
It takes 4 hours, but the travel time will be further reduced when the next tunnel near Deqin is opened. This is a bus trip through sensational mountain scenery; Zhongdian is at 3200 meters (about 10,500 feet), Deqin at 3500 m (11,500 ft), the highest pass at 4300m. It is beautiful but somewhat scary. In winter, the road is sometimes closed and is not recommended even if it is open.

Beyond Deqin
Going beyond Deqin, you will enter the Tibet Autonomous Region (foreigners entering Tibet need a permit). The next stop is the traditional salt town of Yanjing. Further on is the junction town, Markam, where this route merges with the Sichuan Tibet Road (see Overland to Tibet).

It is also possible to branch off from this route at Shangri-la to Yading (8 to 10 hours) or at Lijiang to Lugu Lake (4½ to 7 hours). Either way will lead you to the Sichuan capital of Chengdu.

title: Yunnan tourist trail


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Yunotsu

Yunotsu (温泉津) is a hot spring town in Shimane. Merged into Oda city in 2005.

Understand
A one-street onsen town with several inns and two beautiful old public bath houses, Yunotsu is a piece of 1920s Japan (think Studio Ghibli) that somehow survived into the 21st century, full of classic wooden buildings and geta clip-clopping on the street. The name Yunotsu means "hot spring port".

Get in
JR Yunotsu station on the Sanin line is almost a 1-km walk from the main part of town. There is limited bus service to and from the station. If you have a reservation at a ryokan or inn in town, ask them to pick you up.

By car, Yunotsu is on Route 9 about 30 minutes drive from Iwami Ginzan UNESCO World Heritage site in Oda.

Do
As an onsen town, the main activity here is bathing. Although your inn or hotel may have natural hot spring water pumped in, going out to visit other baths is well worthwhile.

Drink
The town is pretty quiet, things close up early, and there are not many options aside from the inns that line the main street. Yunotsu does have a small, but high quality sake brewery called Kaishun (開春) if you want to try what the locals drink. It's widely available in town.

Go next

 * Oda
 * Hamada
 * Masuda
 * Tsuwano
 * Gotsu
 * Kawamoto
 * Misato
 * Iinan
 * Izumo

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

title: Yunotsu


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Yurihama

Yurihama (湯梨浜町 Yurihama-chō) is a town in Tottori Prefecture.

Understand
The town started in 2004 by merging three small municipalities, Hawai, Tomari and Togo. The name was coined combining kanji for hot springs (湯), sand pears (梨) and beaches (浜).

Tourist Information Sites

 * The local tourist association has a Japanese-only guide site.

 * The town's hot spring areas, Togo and Hawai has a multilingual guide site.

By train
The JR San-in Line runs through Yurihama with two stations in town: Tomari Station and Matsuzaki Station.

By car
The San-in Road and Aoya-Hawai Road run through Yurihama along the coast. Route 22 runs along the southern side of Lake Togo.

See

Go next

 * Tottori
 * Misasa
 * Kurayoshi
 * Hokuei
 * Kotoura
 * Daisen
 * Yonago
 * Kagamino
 * Tsuyama

title: Yurihama


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Yurihonjo

Yurihonjo (由利本荘市 Yurihonjō-shi) is a city in southern Akita Prefecture. It was formed in 2005 by the merger of many towns: Chokai, Higashi Yuri, Nishime, Iwaki, Honjo, Yashima, and Yuri.

Understand
Yurihonjo was formed by a merger of several towns, yet those towns are still largely oriented around themselves. And since Yurihonjo is very large, in terms of area, people living in the SE may know nothing about people living in the NW, for example. Honjo (本荘) is in the west of Yurihonjo. To the south of Honjo is Nishime (西目). To the north of Honjo are Matsugasaki (松ヶ崎), Kameda (亀田), and Iwaki (岩城). Ouchi (大内) is NE of Honjo. Higashi Yuri (東由利) is east of Honjo. In the SE are Yuri (由利), Yashima (矢島), and Chokai (鳥海). Chokai is composed of three villages, Kawauchi (川内), Hitane, (直根), and Jinego (笹子).

History
Honjo, located at the heart of Yurihonjo, is a city surrounded by hills ("Dewa-kyuryo"), plateaus ("Yuri-hara") and the sea. It is believed that the area of Honjo was under the sea about 1,000,000 years ago and that its higher zones started gradually emerging some 500,000 years later. By 3000 B.C., some large villages had been formed at the foot of the Dewa-kyuryo.

The name Yuri appeared for the first time in "Azumakagami", a book written around 1200. The Yuri clan was a powerful family who governed Nikaho, Yashima, Koyoshi and other neighboring districts. Their territories, however, were confiscated by the government in 1213, and for the following 400 years up to 12 clans ruled over the area together. In the early 17th century, the area was disputed between the government and the local clans. It finally became the property of the Rokugo clan from Ibaraki in 1623 and remained so for about 250 years.

There once was a castle in Honjo, located on the site of today's Honjo Park. As a matter of fact, the old way of writing Honjo, 本城, means "main castle". However this castle can no longer be seen as it was burnt down in 1868 by the members of the Rokugo clan themselves at the end of their reign.

On April 1, 1889, the district officially gained the name "Honjo Town". On March 31, 1954, the town merged with the villages of Koyoshi, Otomo, Ishizawa, Minami-utetsu, Kita-utetsu and Matsugazaki. Then, on March 22, 2005, Honjo Town merged again with 7 other small towns of the area to become "Yurihonjo City".

Climate
July is the rainy season, with regular afternoon showers. The spring and summer before and after that have less rain, and are therefore good for outdoor activities. In November, cold weather thunder storms are said to mark the end of fall and the beginning of hatahata (a local fish) season. In the winter, the coastal areas of Yurihonjo get a little snow, and the inland areas get a lot, which makes for good skiing and snowboarding.

Tourist information site
The local tourist association has a Japanese-only guide site.

Get in
Depending where you're going, a car is probably your best bet.

By car
Within Akita, cars are the most convenient way to get around. Highway 7 connects Honjo with Akita to the north, by way of Iwaki, and Nikaho to the south, by way of Nishime. Highway 105 connects Honjo to Daisen in the NE, by way of Ouchi. Highway 107 connects Honjo to Ugo and Yokote in the east, by way of Higashi Yuri. Highway 108 connects Honjo to Yuzawa in the SE, by way of Yuri, Yashima and Chokai. There are several small highways through the mountains, but some of them are seasonal or are closed for long-term repairs, so ask someone locally and check. In the winter, the roads can be snowy and icy, and the mountain areas — Chokai, for example — get tons of snow.

By train
From Ugohonjo Station in Honjo, the Akebono night train goes direct to Tokyo, and the Nihonkai night train goes direct to Kyoto. The nearest shinkansen stations are the Komachi Shinkansen in Akita or Omagari, and the Tsubasa Shinkansen in Shinjo, northern Yamagata. Both of these shinkansen lines go to Tokyo. There are many daily trains going north and south out of Honjo. There is also a private train line that goes from Ugohonjo Station to Yashima, by way of Yuri.

By bus
Night buses go from Tokyo to Yurihonjo. Several bus companies offer this service. Check the websites or ask at the bus station for more information.

Get around
In Honjo, biking and walking are feasible. There are a few buses each day connecting outlying towns. Iwaki, Nishime, Yuri, and Yashima can be reached by train from Honjo. Taxis and daiko are available, but they're very expensive for outlying areas. Traveling by car is convenient, and parking is rarely a problem.

By bus
There are several daily buses connecting Honjo to Higashi-Yuri. Buses also go from Honjo to Yashima several times a day, continuing to Kawauchi and Jinego in Chokai. Though there are buses going from Honjo to Iwaki and Nikaho, the train is probably more convenient. The train station has timetables for local buses.

See

Buy
The best shopping in Yurihonjo is in Honjo itself. If Honjo doesn't have what you want, go to Akita. If you're shopping in one of the outlying areas, there are often interesting gifts at the rest area shops.

Eat

Akita Prefecture is famous for kiritanpo, a sort of grilled rice cake. In October and November, the local hatahata fish is quite popular. Though unfortunately these foods are only served at a few restaurants around town, they can be purchased at many gift shops. Yurihonjo itself is known for several brands of sake (Japanese rice wine), such as Dewanofuji (出羽の富士) and Tenju (天寿). Sake is served at bars and sold at many convenience and grocery stores.

Yashima
Yashima is known for toranokonomanju, a striped red bean pastry, which is sold at dessert shops and grocery stores.

Drink
In Honjo, there are many small snack bars. The outlying communities have fewer bars. There are no real dance clubs in Yurihonjo — try Akita for dancing.

Sleep

Business hotels are best found in Honjo. Ryokans can be found throughout Yurihonjo, though for a ryokan you'll want to have reservations or arrive early in the day. In a pinch, a car traveler could sleep in the car at any of the rest areas — this is quite common in northern Japan. If you're thinking of sleeping in your car after a night of drinking, please make sure you're completely alcohol-free in the morning, because the police may see your car in the evening and watch for it in the morning. Additionally, there are a few love hotels that could be used, but regular hotels are comparable in price, so it's not a great option.

Connect
Finding free wireless internet can be a challenge. Aquapal, Yashima Station, and the Yashima Nishinkan have public use computers with free internet access.

When making local telephone calls, only the last six digits are necessary. For example, "+81 184 53-2055" becomes "53-2055".

Go next

 * Check out Akita, an hour by train to the north.
 * Within the prefecture, Lake Tazawa and the Oga Peninsula are both two hours' drive from Honjo.
 * Tsuruoka
 * Yuzawa
 * Yokote
 * Nikaho
 * Ugo
 * Yuza
 * Sakata

title: Yurihonjo


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Yurimaguas

Yurimaguas is a city located in the Loreto Region of Peru. It serves as the capital of the Alto Amazonas Province and is situated in the northeastern part of the country. Yurimaguas is located on the banks of the Huallaga River, which is an important tributary of the Amazon River.

Understand
The city has a population of approximately 72,000 people (as of 2017) and is known for its strategic location as a transportation hub. Yurimaguas serves as a gateway to the Peruvian Amazon, connecting the region with the rest of the country. It has a port on the Huallaga River, which facilitates the transportation of goods and people to and from other parts of Peru.

Yurimaguas is surrounded by lush rainforest and is known for its biodiversity. The region is home to various indigenous communities and offers opportunities for eco-tourism and exploration of the Amazon rainforest.

The city has basic amenities such as hotels, restaurants, and markets, catering to both local residents and visitors. Yurimaguas also has an airport, allowing for air travel to and from the city.

In summary, Yurimaguas is a city in the Loreto Region of Peru, serving as a transportation hub and gateway to the Peruvian Amazon. It offers access to the rainforest and is known for its natural beauty and biodiversity.

Yurimaguas customs
Yurimaguas, being located in the Loreto Region of Peru, has a rich cultural heritage and is home to various indigenous communities. Here are some customs and traditions that are observed in Yurimaguas:

 * 1) Indigenous Traditions: Yurimaguas is inhabited by indigenous communities, such as the Shawi, Kukama, and Awajún, among others. These communities have their own unique customs, rituals, and traditional practices that are passed down through generations. They have a deep connection with nature and often engage in activities like fishing, hunting, and gathering.
 * 2) Festivals: Yurimaguas celebrates several festivals throughout the year, showcasing the local culture and traditions. One of the most important festivals is the Festival of San Juan, which takes place on June 24th. It combines Catholic and indigenous elements and includes processions, music, dance, and traditional food.
 * 3) Music and Dance: Yurimaguas has a vibrant music and dance scene. Traditional music in the region is characterized by the use of native instruments such as drums, flutes, and marimbas. The rhythms and melodies reflect the cultural diversity of the area. Folk dances, such as the "Pandilla" and "Huayno," are also an integral part of the cultural expression in Yurimaguas.
 * 4) Traditional Medicine: The indigenous communities in Yurimaguas have a deep knowledge of traditional medicine and healing practices. They use plants, herbs, and natural remedies to treat various ailments. These practices are often intertwined with spiritual beliefs and rituals.
 * 5) Crafts: Yurimaguas is known for its traditional crafts made by local artisans. Handicrafts include woven baskets, pottery, wood carvings, and textiles. These crafts often depict scenes from nature and indigenous symbols, showcasing the cultural heritage of the region.
 * 6) Shamanism and Spiritual Beliefs: Shamanism plays a significant role in the indigenous communities of Yurimaguas. Shamans are spiritual leaders who serve as intermediaries between the human and spirit world. They perform rituals, ceremonies, and healing practices, and are respected members of the community.

These customs and traditions are just a glimpse into the rich cultural tapestry of Yurimaguas. The city and its surrounding areas are deeply rooted in indigenous heritage and offer a unique experience for visitors interested in exploring traditional customs and ways of life.

Get in
There are road and river connections to Tarapoto, and buses from there to the Pacific coast.

Sleep
There are a few hostels in the main town (around the Plaza da Armas). However, most boats allow you to stay overnight before the start of the journey, and for no extra charge.

Go next
Ejetur has buses through Chiclayo & on to Trujillo.

Official website de Yurimaguas https://yurimaguasonline.com/

title: Yurimaguas


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Yuryev-Polsky

Yuryev-Polsky (Russian: Юрьев-Пóльский) is an ancient town in the northern part of Vladimir Oblast. While the town isn't one of the Golden Ring towns, it has likewise sights from the Middle Ages including a unique white-stone monument, the 13th-century Cathedral of St. George.

Geography
Yuryev-Polsky is in the field region (Vladimirskoe Opolye) on the banks of the tiny river Koloksha, the left tributary of the Klyazma. The land near the town is almost flat. There are no natural fortifications, and the spot is quite unpractical from the medieval point of view. The choice of this location was motivated by the agricultural importance of the region and the huge trading activity during the Middle Ages: the roads from Vladimir, Suzdal, Pereslavl Zalessky, and Rostov Veliky crossed here. The town has lost its hub position. It stands on a minor railway line, far away from any big roads. Yuryev-Polsky is in the geographical center of the Golden Ring, but the lack of transport connections prevents most travellers from visiting the town.

History
Yuryev-Polsky was founded in 1152 by Prince Yury Dolgoruky. The name of the town is related to the founder (Yuryev) and to the location (Polsky or Polskoy, this means "standing in the field" and has nothing to do with Poland). The town was situated in the agricultural region of Vladimir Fields, at the crossing of several trading roads. This advantageous location led to the rapid development. In 1212, Yuryev-Polsky became the center of the small principality that appeared after the defragmentation of Vladimir-Suzdal state. The importance of the town was emphasized by the construction of the white-stone Cathedral of St. George. However, the decay started already in 1238 when the town was destroyed by Batu Khan. Yuryev-Polsky also suffered from further Mongol invasions in 1382 and 1408.

The shift of the capital to Moscow changed the trading activity, and the location of Yuryev-Polsky became less advantageous. Since 14th century, Yuryev-Polsky was considered as a minor settlement on the outskirts of Moscow principality. The town was entrusted to foreign rulers subordinated to Moscow princes. Since 17th century, Yuryev-Polsky is a regular provincial town, standing away from any important roads. The only active road passed from Moscow to Suzdal, but it decayed after the construction of railways, and the town turned to its present, sleepy state. Yuryev-Polsky is recorded in the well-known 1968 Russian film The Golden Calf, after the satiric novel by Ilf and Petrov.

Orientation
Yuryev-Polsky has a pretty simple rectangular layout. The river flows from north to south and slightly disturbs the regular arrangement of streets and houses. The road from Vladimir comes from the east, the road to Alexandrov and Moscow goes to the south-west, and the road to Pereslavl Zalessky leaves the town in the northern direction. The railroad passes along the southern boundary of the town. The historical center is quite compact and is on the left (eastern) bank of the river. The main square is named Советская площадь (Soviet square). The Trading rows and the monastery of Archangel Michael are found right on this square. The cathedral of St. George is hundred meters away, behind the monastery. The monastery and the cathedral lie within the well-preserved, picturesque ancient ramparts.

Get in
Transport connections to Yuryev-Polsky are rather inconvenient. If you do not have a car, the best starting points are Moscow, Vladimir, Alexandrov, and Ivanovo.

By plane
The nearest international airports are in Moscow.

By train

 * The only direct train from Moscow is the night train to Kineshma. Yuryev-Polsky is at the middle of the route, and as such the stops will be in the middle of the night making this an inconvenient alternative. There are local trains from Alexandrov (1 daily, 2 hr travel time) and Ivanovo (2 daily, 2½ hr travel time), which much more frequent connections to Moscow, but even by these routes, daytrips by train are far from convenient. The train from Alexandrov arrives in the evening, and the trains from Ivanovo arrive in the morning (but departure from Ivanovo is about half past four in the morning) and even later in the evening.

By bus

 * Bus services are more frequent than train. From Vladimir there are buses every two hours, travel time 2 hr. From Alexandrov there are five daily buses, travel time 2 hr. From Moscow there are four daily buses via Kolchugino and Kirzhach (travel time 3½-4 hr) or almost hourly buses to Kolchugino from where you can take a taxi for the remaining 30 km. However, traffic jams are common along the highway from Moscow so the bus trip can take longer than scheduled. There are no intercity bus services from Yaroslavl and Ivanovo, but you can get in by route taxi (marshrutka) from there.

By car
Coming by car, there are picturesque roads through the fields from Vladimir and Kolchugino.

 * From Moscow: 160 km along A103 (via Kirzhach and Kol'chugino). Upon entering the town, pass three or four crossings, turn right, and cross the river (there is no road sign). From Moscow, you may want to take the road towards Yaroslavl and via Alexandrov rather than via Scholkovo and Kirzach as the crow flies — it's about 30 km longer but the road is much better.
 * From Vladimir: 70 km along R74. Upon entering the town, you will pass under a railway bridge. Turn left on the next crossing.
 * From Alexandrov: 77 km (via Kol'chugino).
 * From Ivanovo: via Suzdal - Obraschiha or Vladimir only. There is no adequate road from Yuryev-Polsky to Ivanovo Oblast. The road from Gavrilov Posad to Yuryev-Polsky via Osanovec and Skomovo while exists and paved, contains several segments of extremely bad pavement. (Video footage of the road's condition can be seen here, the worst part begins at timestamp 7:10.)
 * From Pereslavl Zalessky: 70 km along R74. The road from Pereslavl-Zalessky (the north) is of varying quality, the same goes for the road from Gavrilov Posad.
 * From Suzdal: 65 km via the villages Obraschiha or Staryi Dvor.

In Yuryev-Polsky, there is a lot of space for free parking. In the daytime the central square may be crowded due to the market. Additionally, the street along the monastery of Archangel Michael (towards the cathedral of St. George) is closed for traffic.

Get around
The historical center of Yuryev-Polsky is very small and can be easily explored by foot. The hotels and places to eat are also nearby, while walking to the train and bus stations should not be difficult as well. Inside the town, there is a regular (every half-hour) minibus service. Additionally, long-distance buses make a stop in the historical center.

Religious buildings

Secular buildings
Secular buildings are rather unremarkable and present the general provincial style of the 19th century. The buildings are concentrated along ulitsa Pervogo maya (ул. 1 мая, north from the central square), Krasnooktyabr'skaya ulitsa (Краснооктябрьская ул., north from the central square), and Vladimirskaya ulitsa (Владимирская ул., east from the central square). Notable ones include:

 * The 19th-century building of the Trading rows (see below), built in classicism style with the unusual awning, is on the central square.

Museums and memorials

 * Art gallery (church of John the Evangelist) – Russian art from 16th–19th century.
 * Cathedral of St. George (interior) – original carved stones from the 13th century, and 17th-century wall paintings.
 * Observation platform and the exhibition of monk's cell (bell tower). The exhibition is rather boring, while the platform offers a nice view on the town and on the surrounding fields.
 * Peasant life and agriculture – the regular life of the region.
 * The life of Bagration. Bagration was a famous military leader during the war of 1812. In the end of his life, he lived in the neighboring village Sima (see the Get out section).
 * Weaving manufacture – the history of the textile industry and local embroidery.
 * Wooden carving (cathedral of Archangel Michael) – unusual wooden sculptures from the 15th–19th century.

Do

Buy
All the necessary shops can be found at Soviet square (Советская площад). Daily goods can be bought in the market arcades and on the market square in the front of them. The market area continues towards the Lenin monument and Krasnooktobrskaya ulitsa. In addition there are many grocery stores around town. There are no huge department stores in Yuryev-Polsky, and overall it's not a shopping destination — head to Vladimir for a larger selection.

Eat
There used to be only two cafés in the whole city, and visitors had a hard time finding a place to eat as one was often reserved for private events and the other wasn't particularly inviting. The situation is better now with several eateries around, but places are still rather basic.

Sleep

Post office
The postal code of Yuryev-Polsky is 6018**.

Internet access
Internet access is supposed to be available in the central post office (Советская пл. 1a). However, this part of the post office is permanently closed (2008). Most likely, there is no public internet access in Yuryev-Polsky. Russian mobile operators have 3G and 4G networks.

Nearby
General remark: there are few local buses in Yuryev-Polsky, and their schedule is somewhat irregular and intricate. If you want to visit the neighboring villages, it is certainly advisable to hire a taxi.

Further away
Obvious choices to go next are Vladimir, Suzdal and Pereslavl Zalessky, with a similar heritage, or Alexandrov which was the capital of Ivan the Terrible's private police, the oprichnina. If you've already seen these, the countryside is beautiful and has many things to see from estates to early Soviet architecture, though you would really need a car to get around these places.

 * Vladimir – the center of the region and the ancient city. Vladimir preserves several fine 12th-century monuments of white-stone architecture and a number of later buildings, along with numerous options for accommodation, eating, and entertainment.
 * Alexandrov – an old town with a monastery from the 16th century, the country residence of Russian princes during the Middle Ages.
 * Kirzhach – a small and lovely town notable for its 16th-century monastery and a nice location on the steep bank of the river.
 * Pereslavl Zalessky – one of the ancient towns of the Golden Ring. Numerous old churches and monasteries and the picturesque location near the lake.
 * Suzdal – another popular town of the Golden Ring. Suzdal is entirely touristy place, a kind of stark Russian history.
 * Teykovo – a town in the neighboring Ivanovo Oblast. Teykovo presents a vast choice of secular and industrial architecture from the early 20th century.

title: Yuryev-Polsky


text:
Yushan

Yushan (玉山 Yùshān), also known as Jade Mountain or Mt. Jade, at 3952m, is the highest mountain in Taiwan. It has also been claimed to be the tallest mountain in East Asia, but this depends on how one defines "East Asia".

History
Yushan was called Tongku Saveg by the Bunun, Mt. Morrison by 19th-century Europeans, and Niitakayama by the Japanese during their colonial rule.

Climate
Based on the data shown on Central Weather Bureau of Taiwan, the figure on the right shows the monthly mean precipitation (unit: mm) of Yushan from 1971 to 2000.

Average annual rainfall in the Yushan area is about 3,600mm. It rains an average of 140 days per year, mostly between May and August. From May until the first part of June is “plum rain season” or monsoon season. Taiwan's typhoon season roughly falls between July and September. The peak month is in August. Overall speaking, winters are dry and summers wet in Yushan.

In the Yushan National Park, the precipitation is heaviest at mid elevation on the western side of Lu-lin Mountain and along the eastern bank of the Laku Laku River, reaching 4,200mm per year. Yushan is at elevations of about 3,500 meters. Rainfall is less at this height, averaging 2,700mm per year. Over the past ten years, the annual precipitation in the Yushan area has declined from 3,200mm to 2,700mm.

From September to April, the Yushan area is often covered with frost. However, due to strong wind, the frost level is not high, except in the valleys. At elevations above 2,000 meters, there is snow. At elevations of 3,000 meters or more, there are four consecutive months of snow accumulation. The first snow may appear in October and completely melts by May. Snow falls 24.3 days per year on average on Yushan, which is less than in the previous ten years. At lower elevations, snow may fall only 0.6 days per year. Snow mostly falls in January and February.

Get in
The nearby major cities are Taichung (台中) and Chiayi (嘉義). You can take either train or bus to those cities first. From there, you take New Cross-Island Provincial Highway with different routes:
 * Taichung → Shueili (水里) → Heshe (和社) → Tongpu (東埔) → Tataka Recreation Area (塔塔加遊憩區)
 * Chiayi → Alishan (阿里山) → Tataka Recreation Area

There are two main routes to the top:
 * Main route from Tataka Visitor Center (塔塔加遊客中心) (2600m) and leads to the top in 10 km, with a hut very near the top.
 * Tongpu to the summit, 23 km and 2800 vertical meters.

If you take the main route, you can park in three different places and reach the trailhead differently :
 * From Tataka Visitor Center
 * From Shangdongpu (上東埔)
 * From Lulin Pass (鹿林)

Fees and permits
Climbing Yushan requires a park entry permit from the park authorities, and a mountain climbing permit from the police. Online application is available (allows 7-33 processing days). A lottery system is run to distribute most permits for overnight hikes with beds at Paiyun cabin and the drawing takes place about one month before the date of each hike. Competition is high, especially in summer or on weekends so it will likely be necessary to be flexible and apply several times. That said there is a separate system for foreign groups to apply between 4 months and 35 days in advance to secure a spot independent of the lottery system. This is likely the best choice for foreign travelers may be able to plan far ahead but have a short time window. These permits are only available for Sunday through Thursday nights. Here are the steps for online application:
 * Connect to Yushan National Park
 * For first time application, sign up for personal account.
 * Check the auto-confirm email to activate personal account.
 * Use personal account to send online application.
 * Wait for auto-notification email from Yushan National Park.

If you need assistance in the permit application or trek logistics, Barking Deer Adventures provides the service.

If you are fit enough to make it to the peak and back in one day, you do not have to use the lottery system to apply for your permit and will be much more likely to get a permit on your preferred date or on short notice. The applications for same day hikes can be found at the same website.

Get around
Getting from the Tatajia Visitor Center to the trailhead, a journey of over 2 km, can be done on foot, or by a regular shuttle service that costs NT$100.

The hiking trail leading from the trailhead at Tatajia Anbu to Paiyun Lodge is 8.5 km long. Paiyun Lodge at an elevation of 3402 metres is located below the west slope of Yushan Main Peak and is an important base for climbing the Yushan Peaks. As high mountain hikes go, it is relatively easy, with few steep or technical sections. In some sections the trail goes downhill, and there are plenty of level grade sections. The trail is clearly marked, with a distance post every half km showing distance traveled and distance remaining. There are also some interpretive signs on the way, explaining the flora and geology with varying degrees of informativeness. Along the way there's a side trail to Yushan Front Peak, which can be explored by those with the time and energy. It takes 4 to 8 hours to reach the lodge from the trailhead, depending on fitness level.

The trail from Paiyun Lodge to the peak is 2.4km long. It only starts becoming technical around the last half kilometer or so, with the last 200 meters being the steepest and most difficult section, though by high mountain standards, still relatively easy. It takes 2½ to 3 hours to reach the peak from the lodge.

See
Yushan is one of the favorites among Taiwanese mountain climbers. It also attracts climbers from all over the world. With panoramic views, overlapping mountains, and deep, plunging valleys, Yushan National Parkis well known for its scenery, sunrises, sunsets, geological features, and views of the clouds from above. Sea of clouds (Traditional Chinese: 雲海, Pinyin: yúnhǎi) often fill the valleys, giving you the impression that you're standing on top of the world. Indisputably, Yushan is the focal point of the park.

If you're content with just seeing Yushan from a distance, the best thing to do is to head over to neighboring Alishan and witness the famous sunrise from there.

Between the months of March and May, visitors have the chance to see processions of butterflies fluttering through mountain valleys.

The North Peak is home to Taiwan's highest permanently occupied building, the Yushan Weather Station, where the occasional visitors are given a warm welcome.

Eat
Carry trail food and water.

Sleep
There is only one place to sleep near the top: Paiyun Lodge. The lodge is very busy, so you will need to reserve online one month in advance.

Stay safe
Before going up, you will be shown a safety video in the Visitor Center. Heed the safety instructions presented therein. If you hire a guide, follow his instructions to stay safe.

Use common sense. Stay on the trail, hold onto the ropes and chains when available, bring food, water, raingear, warm clothing and a flashlight/headlamp, and do not feed the wildlife. Keep updated on weather conditions.

It pays to be in good health and physically fit to take on this trail. To someone who has not done any strenuous exercise in ages, it may be very challenging. Prior training is advisable. But to the moderately experienced day-hiker, it may be quite easy.

Beware of the signs of altitude sickness and take precautions.

Cell phone reception is spotty, but is available on many sections of the trail. In case of emergency, you can call one of several numbers provided on your permit. The numbers are also available at the Visitor Center and on the sign at the trailhead.

Go next
After viewing the magnificent sunrise, some people retrace the route down to Paiyun Lodge and Tatachia Visitor Center, while some continue down the other side of the mountain to the hot spring town of Tungpu (東埔). This route involves a walk of about 1 hour along the Batongguan Historic Trail (八通關古道) which was built in 1875.

Leaving the peak, climbers follow a branch of the Batongguan Historic Trail (八通關古道) that leads 6.5 km down the east face of the mountain to where it joins the main trail. On the trail leading all the way down to Tungpu, climbers will discover many spectacular scenes including several waterfalls, one of which cascades down the mountain in seven steps and is known as Seven Threads Waterfall (七絲瀑布; also known as 乙女瀑布).

Under to Tungpu is Yunlong Waterfall (雲龍瀑布), which drops 50 meters over a stone cliff, runs under a wooden bridge, and then drops another 70 meters.

The final stop of the trail is carved into the vertical face of Fuzi Cliff (父子斷崖), after which the trail crosses the Chenyoulan River (陳有蘭溪) and leads into the town of Tungpu.

title: Yushan


text:
Yushu

Yushu (玉树; Yùshù; also known as Gyêgu) is a town in Qinghai Province.

Understand
Yushu is in the traditional Kham Area. It is a multi-ethnic town. The inhabitants are mostly Tibetan while most merchants are Han Chinese. The metropolitan area had a population of over 350,000 in 2020. Although it is outside the Tibet Autonomous Region, it is clearly Tibetan, albeit increasingly flooded with Chinese incomers.

In the morning of 14 April 2010, the town was struck by 7.1 magnitude Earthquake. Around 2,000 people died.

By bus
A few buses depart daily from Xining and Yushu. Fare is ¥207. As of 2016, the bus station for buses to and from Xining is about 2 km south of the T-junction and central square. From the bus station, if you walk west about 300 m you will find the main street, from there head north and you will get to the central square.

Buses going further south in Qinghai, to Zadoi or Nangqen for instance, pass by Yushu Town on their way.

From Ganzi buses are available in summer only, and the station is allegedly at the midpoint between the Xining bus station and town, around 5 km outside the latter, on the G214.

Get around
Walking is the easiest way around town, you can walk up the hill to the Jiegu Monastery. A taxi to the Mani Stones should cost around ¥50. But it's convenient to take bus no.1 or 2 (¥1). A taxi to the Temple of Princess Wencheng cost around ¥50. Try to negotiate with a driver to see both sites as they are outside of town in different directions.

Buy
Do not bother to have a sheepskin jacket made up unless you are prepared to leave it behind;it will start to stink once you bring it back to low altitude. However, leather cowboy hats are fine, also fox fur brocade hat. Apart from malas (tibetan rosary beads), prayer flags and other religious accoutrements, there is not a lot to buy although there are some beautiful rugs to be found on the market. However, it is almost impossible to persuade the merchant to part with one, as for reasons never fathomed, they are sold in pairs. You can also buy Caterpillar fungus in Yak Square during the summer, a famous traditional medicine.

There's an ATM where you can withdraw money on the Construction Bank of China, south of town on the main street, right side.

Eat
Decent food can be had at a large number of places on all of the town's three main streets, and also at the market square at night. Sheep's head for the not too squeamish is recommended. Yak milk yoghurt sold by the nomad women on the corner of Yak Square is very strong but very creamy. Steer clear of yak butter; it always tastes rancid even when fresh.

Drink
You can buy many types of lager beer including Budweiser and Corona in a few locations in many shops around town, and also in many restaurants. Also, available is Baijiu, a rice wine which has a very strong taste.

There are a few drinking establishments often referred to as "Tea Houses", but do not expect a pub atmosphere. There are also a couple of night clubs, which are worth going to just to experience young people in a disco all lining up and doing traditional dances which they all seem to know. There is also often traditional Tibetan folk singing in these clubs which is also worth seeing. The tradition is to reward the singer with a silk scarf (called a Khata) for their song. Many people will approach them during their song to place Khata on their neck.

Budget
Since the earthquake, most hotels were rebuilt as temporary corrugated-iron boxes, some of them unexpectedly dirty, and extremely cold in winter. Many of them can be found on the G214 to the east of the T junction. Expect to pay around ¥50 for a bed (winter price) in a dirty one without electricity.

About 250 meters east of the T junction, there is an easy to find L-shaped and green-coloured budget hotel that survived the earthquake. The price is ¥35 for a bed in a double room (winter price), it has electric blankets but no heating. Toilets are outside the building. Because of the wide windows in the common area, the hotel is surprisingly warm in winter. Ask the restaurants around to point you the tent where the reception is located.

Go next
There are four daily buses to Xining, two seated and two sleepers. The trip can take anywhere from 12 to 20 hours (the seated bus is faster than the sleeper). Buses leaving before 15:00 are likely to arrive in the middle of the night in Xining. On the route to Xining there are fantastic views of plains so vast they disappear into the horizon.

There is also a sleeper bus a few times a week to Chengdu in summer, which takes 32-36 hours. On the route to Chengdu the scenery is fantastically dramatic with vast mountains and river gorges. Be prepared for delays due to small avalanches temporarily blocking the roads on the way to Chengdu.

Regular collective minivans to Nanqen leave from Shengli Rd (G214) about 500 m south of the T junction. The trip takes three to four hours for the 170 km and costs ¥50 (2012).

Collective taxis to Ganzi and Dege wait for passengers on the G214 about 250 m east of the T junction. Price per person to Ganzi is ¥180 in a minivan or ¥150 in a smaller car (2012). You might have to wait a long time for the taxi to be full, and that may include spending one more night in Yushu.

title: Yushu


text:
Yuxi

Yuxi (玉溪; Yùxī) is a city in Yunnan.

Administratively, Yuxi is a "prefecture-level city", meaning that it also controls several adjacent counties (Jiangchuan, Tonghai, Chengjiang). The actual "city" of Yuxi proper is formally known as Hongta District (红塔区).

Bus
Buses many times a day arrive from Kunming. The in Yuxi is north of downtown.

Train
The railway station still shown on most maps is, formerly known simply as Yuxi Railway Station, and located close to downtown (Hongta St). This station closed on 2016-12-15, and a new, larger station opened instead. The new station sits amidst strawberry fields at least 3 km southwest of downtown, but it feels like more, because the road network in that new area is yet to be completed. Buses no. 7, 11, 15, 22 serve the new station.

The new Yuxi Railway Station has two kinds of service. "Conventional" trains on the Kunming-Hekou line (several a day) stop at Yuxi as well; along their route they stop in Kunyang (between Kunming and Yuxi) as well as Tonghai, Mengzi, etc on their way to Hekou. These trains run from Kunming Railway Station, south of Kunming's downtown. In the late 2016, soon after the new station opened, more frequent and faster service non-stop service from Kunming along the new ("intercity") line was introduced as well. As of 2017, these trains run from Kunming's new high-speed railway station, called Kunming South (Kunmingnan); however, Kunming's railway network is undergoing a major reconstruction now, so this may change after the end of 2017.

Get around
Much of the city is walkable and fairly flat, so ideal for exploration by bicycle. There is also a reasonable urban bus system. Taxis in town are ¥8 flag fall.

See
As of 2013, there are still some old hutong-style buildings about the center of town. Some of them are operated as restaurants and can be entered to give you a sense of traditional Yunnan architecture.

Do

 * go to lakes Fuxian or Xingyun, camp, swim
 * Swim at Hongta Gymnasium. It has a clean and well-organized natatorium.

Eat
Strangely, there are many snacks in the center of town, but it can be hard to find sit-down restaurants with fried dishes. As well as many local restaurants and a significant Muslim presence (Halal food is easy to find), the standard chains are present: KFC, Dicos, etc.

There are lots of strawberry fields on the city's edges and along roads to neighboring towns, and the local strawberries are quite sweet and tasty. Pick-your-own signs can be seen at some farms.

Drink

 * Shangcun Jie seems to host most of the serious drinking (at least, outside of KTVs). Bars there include:
 * Shangcun Jie seems to host most of the serious drinking (at least, outside of KTVs). Bars there include:

Go next

 * Fuxian Lake, a large deep lake across the mountains to the east of Yuxi
 * Tonghai County, with its Qilu Lake, to the southeast of Yuxi
 * Kunyang, between Yuxi and Kunming, proud of its famous son Zheng He.

title: Yuxi


text:
Yuyao

Yuyao (余姚) is a city in Zhejiang Province, China. Though off the beaten path for most tourists, the city is a prosperous economic center with a history that stretches back thousands of years.

By Train
Yuyao Train Station (余姚火车站) offers regular service to and from Ningbo, Hangzhou, and other Chinese cities via conventional and CRH train. Tickets must be purchased in person from the train station ticket counter.

Get around
Taxis and pedicabs (rickshaws) are available in the well-trafficked parts of town. Pedicab rates are negotiable whereas taxis typically are metered (though rates may be negotiated upfront in some cases).

Language
Like most Chinese cities, Yuyao has its own dialect, a language similar to Shanghainese called Yuyaohua. Being able to speak a few words of Yuyao's dialect (something not even expected of Chinese from outside the city) will go a long way towards impressing the locals.

Below are a few useful Yuyaohua terms:

 * nongho - hello
 * zeiwei - goodbye
 * yaya nong - thank you
 * zao zong ho - good morning
 * wo teng vi deng - I don't understand (what was said)

Beggars
Like much of urban China, beggars are present in Yuyao. Most if not all are professionals who work a particular territory and pay a cut of their earnings to a boss. Some will sit on the sidewalk and beg while others will chase after their targets and attempt to pester them into handing over money. Ignoring the latter type and walking swiftly away is usually the best course of action.

See

 * Dragon Spring Hill (龙泉山) - a wooded hill in the center of Yuyao with parks, walking paths, and a view of the city from atop
 * Museum of Yuyao (余姚博物馆) - a museum at the foot of Dragon Spring Hill detailing the history of Yuyao and showcasing cultural relics recovered from the city and surrounding area

Eat

 * Yangmei, also known as Chinese bayberries, are the region's signature fruit and are ubiquitous during their growing season of June and July. As the berries spoil quickly once picked, some of the freshest selections can be had in Yuyao. Yangmei picking tours can also be arranged locally.

Drink
The Tongji Bridge Area (通济桥区) serves as Yuyao's central bar district. Look for the row of traditional-looking wooden buildings along the south side of the Yaojiang River which contain numerous bars and tea houses.

Stay safe
Like most Chinese cities, violent crime in Yuyao is almost nonexistent but theft and pickpocketing is fairly prevalent. Staying vigilant in crowded areas and keeping valuables out of exterior pockets will go a long ways towards protecting your belongings.

title: Yuyao


text:
Yuzawa

There is more than one place called Yuzawa:

Japan

 * Yuzawa (Akita) - A city in southeastern Akita Prefecture.
 * Yuzawa (Niigata) - A town in Niigata Prefecture.

title: Yuzawa


text:
Yuzawa (Akita)

Yuzawa (湯沢市; yuzawa-shi) is a city at the southeastern corner of Akita Prefecture, along the border with Yamagata and Miyagi. It is southeast of Yurihonjo and south of Yokote.

Tourist information site
The local tourist association has a Japanese-only guide site.

Get in
Yuzawa is accessible by train. The main station is Yuzawa Station (湯沢駅). By car, Yuzawa is located on Highway 13, which goes to Yokote and Daisen in the north, and Yamagata in the south. The expressway is free between Yuzawa and Yamagata — however, Yokote is not free.

Get around
Most of the city's attractions are located far away from any stations, so walking is not recommended. There is a bus that runs to Oyasu Gorge from Yuzawa Station, passing Inaniwa Castle.

In order to help tourists who come by train to visit the city's sites, the Komachi Shuttle is a sightseeing taxi service that offers a variety of different travel packages to sights around the city. They have 4 hour and 8 hour taxi tours. Reservations are required. You can reserve one of the shuttle taxi tours on their website.

Sleep
Some travelers sleep in their cars, which is typically not a problem. However, if you drink in the evening and sleep in your car, it is a good to use a personal breathalyzer before driving the next morning — even a small amount of alcohol in your system makes driving illegal, and the police are known to watch for this.

Go next

 * Yokote
 * Higashinaruse
 * Ugo
 * Daisen
 * Senboku
 * Kaneyama
 * Mogami
 * Okura
 * Obanazawa

title: Yuzawa (Akita)


text:
Yuzawa (Niigata)

Yuzawa (湯沢) is a town in Niigata prefecture and the most convenient ski resort in Japan. Often called Echigo-Yuzawa (越後湯沢, capped with old province name) to avoid confusion.

Understand
The canonical backwoods hot spring and skiing resort, Nobel prize winner Yasunari Kawabata's classic novel Snow Country (雪国 Yukiguni, see box) takes place in Yuzawa. Or so the Yuzawans claim; to be quite strict, the novel never mentions the name of its setting, but Kawabata wrote the novel while staying in Yuzawa so perhaps it's not too big a leap to make.

Tourist information site
The local tourist association has a multilingual guide site.

By Plane
Niigata Airport - the closest airport to Yuzawa - is served by domestic flights and a small number of flights from China, South Korea and Taiwan. Shuttle buses run from the airport to JR Niigata station every 20–30 minutes (25 minutes, ¥410). From there, take the Joetsu Shinkansen to Echigo-Yuzawa (50 minutes, ¥5380).

By train
Yuzawa is easily reached via the Echigo-Yuzawa (越後湯沢) station of the Joetsu Shinkansen line. Trains run 2-4 times per hour from Tokyo station, taking 75–90 minutes at a cost of ¥6670. The fare is covered by the national Japan Rail Pass, as well as several regional rail passes offered by JR East. Among the better deals for tourists traveling from Tokyo to Yuzawa is the ¥10000 JR Tokyo Wide Pass.

Toki trains generally make fewer stops and continue on to Niigata, while Tanigawa trains terminate at Echigo-Yuzawa after stopping at all stations on the route. In the wintertime, most Tanigawa trains continue on to the Gala Yuzawa ski resort (see Do).

Ski and Snowboard

 * JR East actively promotes Gala Yuzawa: The Gala One-Day Ticket includes a round-trip on the bullet train between Tokyo and Gala Yuzawa, round-trip lift ticket and a 20% discount off of ski equipment rentals. This ticket permits departure from/return to any JR station within the 23 wards of Tokyo, connecting to the bullet train enroute. Adults ¥11900/Child ¥6500 for ordinary class travel on weekdays; the price is higher on weekends and during the New Year's Holiday, and lower during the off-peak. Foreigners who purchase this ticket will receive gifts at the Gala Yuzawa resort as part of a tourism promotion campaign. Holders of the JR East Rail Pass can purchase a special Snow Play Set Ticket for ¥1000, which includes a round-trip lift ticket, and rental of a cap, gloves, boots and a sled for one day. The trip on the bullet train is, of course, fully covered by the rail pass.
 * Ishiuchi is a ski resort area adjacent to Echigo-Yuzawa, easily accessible by Shinkansen (Bullet Train) from Tokyo.
 * Ishiuchi is a ski resort area adjacent to Echigo-Yuzawa, easily accessible by Shinkansen (Bullet Train) from Tokyo.
 * Ishiuchi is a ski resort area adjacent to Echigo-Yuzawa, easily accessible by Shinkansen (Bullet Train) from Tokyo.
 * Ishiuchi is a ski resort area adjacent to Echigo-Yuzawa, easily accessible by Shinkansen (Bullet Train) from Tokyo.
 * Ishiuchi is a ski resort area adjacent to Echigo-Yuzawa, easily accessible by Shinkansen (Bullet Train) from Tokyo.
 * Ishiuchi is a ski resort area adjacent to Echigo-Yuzawa, easily accessible by Shinkansen (Bullet Train) from Tokyo.
 * Ishiuchi is a ski resort area adjacent to Echigo-Yuzawa, easily accessible by Shinkansen (Bullet Train) from Tokyo.
 * Ishiuchi is a ski resort area adjacent to Echigo-Yuzawa, easily accessible by Shinkansen (Bullet Train) from Tokyo.
 * Ishiuchi is a ski resort area adjacent to Echigo-Yuzawa, easily accessible by Shinkansen (Bullet Train) from Tokyo.
 * Ishiuchi is a ski resort area adjacent to Echigo-Yuzawa, easily accessible by Shinkansen (Bullet Train) from Tokyo.
 * Ishiuchi is a ski resort area adjacent to Echigo-Yuzawa, easily accessible by Shinkansen (Bullet Train) from Tokyo.

Eat

 * There is a great food court at the base station of the central ski resort. Lunch at Yuzawa Gogen is one of the good choice.  Taking the Ropeway at Yen 1200.

Sleep
Japan's only fully foreign owned and operated Austrian-style ski lodge, STI Ski Lodge in Isiuchi

Go next

 * Tokamachi
 * Tsunan
 * Minamiuonuma
 * Uonuma
 * Minakami
 * Nakanojo
 * Numata
 * Shibukawa
 * Sakae

title: Yuzawa (Niigata)


text:
Yuzhno-Kurilsk

Yuzhno-Kurilsk (Russian: Ю́жно-кури́льск, YOOZH-nuh koo-REELSK; Japanese: 古釜布, foo-roo-kah-mah-poo) population: 7 800, is the main town of the Kuril islands, in Sakhalin Oblast, Russia. It is on the mouth of the Sevebryanka river at the Yuzhno-Kurilsky cape, on Kunashir island - or 'Black Island' in the indigenous Ainu language. There is little to see in this city, which was severely damaged by a Tsunami in 1994. But the surrounding area, hosts one of the worlds most unique natural environments - complete with free roaming bears and wild horses.

By plane
SAT airlines operates flights from Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk 3 times per week, out of Mendeleyevo Airport, located 20 kilometers outside Yuzhno-Kurilsk.

By boat
Once or twice every month in summer, there is a ferry service connecting to Korsakov on Sakhalin Island.

Sleep

 * De Havilland Canada DHC-8-315Q Dash 8, SAT Airlines AN2334548.jpg

title: Yuzhno-Kurilsk


text:
Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk

Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk (Russian: Ю́жно-Сахали́нск, YOOZH-nuh suh-khah-LEENSK), also spelled Uzno-Sakhalinsk and previously known in Japanese as Toyohara (豊原), is the largest city and capital of Sakhalin Oblast, in the Russian Far East, with a population of around 173,000. Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk is a booming oil town. While the city in general looks quite rough, it does have some beautiful buildings from the Japanese period, as well as some state-of-the-art buildings.

History
The city was founded in 1882 under the name of Vladimirovka and originally populated by liberated convicts, but was transferred to Japanese control after the end of the Russo-Japanese war. The Japanese renamed the city as Toyohara, and made it the capital of the Japanese prefecture Karafuto occupying the southern half of the island. After the end of World War II, Soviet troops occupied Karafuto, and the city was renamed Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk when control of the city was transferred back to Russia.

Little remains of the Japanese administration apart from a very limited number of Japanese buildings, including the impressive old government building now used as a regional museum. The main heritage of the Japanese ownership of the city is a sizable number of Sakhalin-Koreans, deported here by the Japanese in the 1930s, and denied repatriation until the mid-1980s; many have decided to stay on Sakhalin, and around 20,000 reside in Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk. In the 21st century, the oil industry has brought in many expats from Europe and America. Due to this there are occasional English-language signs in the city, several upscale hotels, and an expat district.

Climate
The climate is defined as humid continental. Summer and winter temperatures are less extreme than in Siberia or elsewhere in the Russian Far East, instead it rains more. Fog is common during the summer.

Geography
The city is located 25 km north of Aniva Bay and the same distance west of the Sea of Okhotsk, in the Susuya River valley and flanked by mountains to the west and east. Due to the risk of earthquakes, buildings are generally low-rise. The main industries – oil, coal and forestry – are located outside the city itself.

Ul Leninareet (Ulitsa Lenina), the main street, runs parallel to the railway from north to south, and downtown forms a rectangle around it. The Susuya River flows west of the city.

Get in
Sakhalin is a fairly remote island, so if you're coming from elsewhere in Russia, plane is by far the most hassle-free way for getting in.

By plane

 * Russia: Aeroflot, Rossiya and Aurora operate flights from Moscow (9 hours) and S7 from Novosibirsk. From Eastern Russia, there are a lot more flights. Vladivostok is served by Aurora and S7, and Khabarovsk by Aurora and seasonally Yakutia Airlines. Krasavia and Aurora fly in from Blagoveshchensk and Aurora moreover serves Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, Bogorodskoye, Iturup, Okha and Yuzhno-Kurilsk
 * South Korea: Asiana and Aurora operate flights from Seoul-Incheon.
 * Japan: Aurora flies from Sapporo and has seasonal flights from Osaka. Yakutia Airlines has seasonal flights from Tokyo.
 * China: Aurora services Harbin airport.
 * China: Aurora services Harbin airport.

By train

For towns close to Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk, it's often an easier and more convenient choice to jump on a bus, while the train is the main mode of transportation to destinations on the northern part of the island. It's a good idea to confirm these times as train schedules change fairly frequently. Check the website of the Passenger Company "Sakhalin" for train schedules.

 * Korsakov: Trains depart daily at 5:30AM, 1:45PM and 7:44PM except on public holidays.
 * Okha: Daily train 1 departs at 6:50AM, and runs most of the length of the island to Nogilki in the north, from where there is a connecting bus to Okha.
 * Alexandrovsk-Sakhalinsky: Catch the train 1 above, and change to a connecting bus in Tymovsk.

By bus
The parking lot outside the train station doubles as a bus terminal, where scheduled and leave-when-full minibuses regularly depart for other parts of the island. The minibus is often the best choice, as the public buses are often slow, uncomfortable, and worn out.

Information on public buses:, the (unofficial) timetable.

 * Kholmsk: Buses 516 and 518 depart on top of the hour, every hour between 8AM-9PM, the latter continuing onwards to Nevelsk for access to Moneron. The minibus alternative takes around an hour and costs ₽400.
 * Korsakov: Bus 115 shuttles between Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk and Korsakov every 30 minutes between 7AM-10PM and takes around 90 minutes, and costs around ₽100. Double the price and you can catch a minibus that takes half the time.

From the ports of Kholmsk and Korsakov, it is possible to catch ferries to Vanino on the mainland, or Wakkanai in Japan respectively. Check Bi-timo, listed below, to purchase tickets.

By car
Sakhalin has few roads, so you are unlikely to miss Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk which is where they cross. The nearest destinations are Korsakov (40 km/25 mi) and Kholmsk (80 km/50 mi).

Tour and travel agencies
While frequently visited by workers in the oil industry, Sakhalin has a very undeveloped tourism sector. If you don't speak Russian and don't have an abundance of time, enlisting the help of a travel agency to see the sights you want to see is probably necessary for all but the most adventurous travelers.

Get around
Intracity transportation is provided by a network of a few public buses, running along the main avenues, and large number of minibuses running on set routes, but with no particular schedules. A single bus ticket costs ₽20 as of 2017.

See

The drab rows of Soviet-style concrete buildings that make up much of the island's capital are really not that interesting for travellers, especially not the ones who have been adventurous enough to come here in the first place. On the other hand, there should be enough to entertain you for a day while you get your bearings and organize things to venture out into Sakhalin's great outdoors — and you really owe it to yourself to get out there if you have come this far.

If you're short on time and only here to catch a ferry, skip these sights and hike up Chekov Peak — the trail head is a muddy dirt road just behind the Santa resort, the whole hike takes around 6 hours if you're in reasonable shape.

Japanese heritage
If you are interested in the Japanese heritage, consider the regional and art museums, the House of The Garrison Court (1908; Nevel'skogo St 44), and the small bridge on Sakhalinskaya St. Other Japanese buildings were destroyed before the 1970s.

Other

 * You can see a large number of monuments in the city: of people who've played a role in the history of the city, famous Russians such as Chekhov and Pushkin, and memorials to victims of the Great Patriotic War and local conflicts and events.
 * You can see a large number of monuments in the city: of people who've played a role in the history of the city, famous Russians such as Chekhov and Pushkin, and memorials to victims of the Great Patriotic War and local conflicts and events.
 * You can see a large number of monuments in the city: of people who've played a role in the history of the city, famous Russians such as Chekhov and Pushkin, and memorials to victims of the Great Patriotic War and local conflicts and events.
 * You can see a large number of monuments in the city: of people who've played a role in the history of the city, famous Russians such as Chekhov and Pushkin, and memorials to victims of the Great Patriotic War and local conflicts and events.
 * You can see a large number of monuments in the city: of people who've played a role in the history of the city, famous Russians such as Chekhov and Pushkin, and memorials to victims of the Great Patriotic War and local conflicts and events.
 * You can see a large number of monuments in the city: of people who've played a role in the history of the city, famous Russians such as Chekhov and Pushkin, and memorials to victims of the Great Patriotic War and local conflicts and events.

A few notable religious buildings have been built since the end of communism, such as:

Buy
There is a sizable market at the corners of Lenina & Sakhalinskaya, where you can stock up with fresh fruits and vegetables, an outfit for your next 1980s party, or cheap Chinese goods. A bit more useful are the electronics stalls for new batteries and the like. You can find affordable eateries here too, mostly serving Russian, Korean and seafood.

Eat
For a Russian mid-sized city, eating out in Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk is on the expensive side. There are however cheap cafés here and there. In general you can choose between Russian, Japanese and Korean cuisine, although other Asian food is also available. Local seafood is surprisingly hard to find in restaurants, but is readily available in the market (mentioned in the Buy section) and its eateries.

Drink
Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk is a rather youthful town, so the nightlife is rather happening considering its size. Hotels do usually have bars, and these are the places to go if you want to meet expats. If the weather is nice, an alternative to the bars listed here is hanging out with the locals in the beer tents dotted around Gagarin Park. Don't miss the local beer.

Sleep
Due to the large number of visitors connected to the booming oil industry on the island, there are a substantial number of good hotels in the city. Room rates, however, are very expensive and budget alternatives are few: expect to pay at least ₽3000 for a single room at Western style hotels. As a rule, Internet costs extra and rates can be rather high. As an alternative to hotels, you can rent an apartment at daily rates starting from around ₽2000. These are advertised on http://board.sakh.com/realty/lease/, in Russian only.

Internet
Local mobile operators include Beeline (Билайн), Megafon (Мегафон) and MTS (МТС) of which at least the latter offers mobile Internet (4G) coverage throughout the city and surroundings.

Businesses may also offer Wi-Fi (free or for a fee).

Desktop connection is available at certain post offices (see below) and in the central library:

Post office
The postal code of Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk is 6930**. Post offices in the city center:

Stay safe
While outwardly looking like a tidy and safe city, Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk does have a reputation of street crime. Downtown is safer than the rest of the city.

Consulates

 * 🇯🇵 Japan
 * 🇳🇱 Netherlands

Go next

 * Korsakov — a rather drab port town that's the departure point for ferries to Japan.
 * Kholmsk — another (drab) port town with ferry connections to the Russian mainland, mainly known for the abandoned railway that leads there: it's now a hiking trail.
 * Aniva Bay is a popular recreation area on the southern coast of Sakhalin. Most of the seashore as well as the lower part of the Lyutoga River are good for swimming, fishing, and other activities.
 * The area around Lake Tunaycha along the west coast comprises not only the largest freshwater lake in Sakhalin (a popular destination in summer) but also a string of smaller freshwater lakes and Izmenchivoe, a salt lake popular for its mud baths. The coastline is sandy and beautiful, and a great place to watch the sun rise, but the ocean is too cold for swimming.

title: Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk


text:
Yuzhou

Yuzhou is in Central Henan Province.

Understand
Yuzhou is a small city of 1.2 million people. It is a city of great historical significance, situated southwest of Zhengzhou along the Ying River, a tributary of the Huai. Famous for its Juci porcelain and herbs used in Chinese medicine, it is also home to the Jun Royal Kiln Museum, which is worth the trip from Zhengzhou or Xuchang alone. Apart from the museum there is absolutely no tourist infrastructure, and no English spoken. This makes it a great adventure for the Chinese language learner, but people with zero Chinese may struggle. Non-Asian travellers should also expect more staring and pointing than in most places in China due to the absolute absence of foreigners here. The locals are extremely open and friendly though, and are happy to talk about the long history of their city as one of China's ancient capitals.

By train
Yuzhou is connected to China's high-speed rail network. Trains from Zhengzhou usually take about 30 to 40 minutes to reach Yuzhou, though one train takes about 70 minutes. If you're coming from Xuchang, you will need to change trains in Zhengzhou, as there are no direct trains from Xuchang to Yuzhou.

By bus

Direct buses leave from Zhengzhou's Long-distance Bus Center Station (Next to Zhengzhou Railway Station), South Bus Station (Longhaidong Road, Guancheng District) or Jingguang Bus Station (Longhaizhong Road). There are also frequent buses from Xuchang.

Get around
Taxis, small minibuses, three wheeled carts and tuk tuks are cheap and abundant. The old city center, the area within the old city moat, is very walkable and full of interesting alleys and small streets.

See
Take a walk around the old city moat, and see what remains of the old city walls in the Northeast, relax with the locals by the riverside, join a group dance in the evening, or watch an impromptu performance of Yuju, the Henan version of Chinese Opera near the Chaoyangmen Mosque. See the statue of Yu the Great, a local hero famous for taming the flooding Yellow River and known as The Father of the Xia for his role in the establishment of the Xia Dynasty, China's first.

Do
Take side trips to Wuliang Township to see the decrepit tombs of Ming Dynasty Vassals, to Shenhou Old Town for a largely preserved historical porcelain-making village, and to Juci Mountain to see the mysterious symbols carved into the rocks there by prehistoric cultures of Central Plains China.

Buy
There are no souvenir shops in Yuzhou, but its most famous product, Junci porcelain, can be bought from one of the many stores with huge purple vases displayed on the street outside, the greatest concentration being on Junguanyao Road 钧管窑路, which runs parallel to the inside of the Eastern channel of the old city moat.

Eat
There are no Western or International restaurants in Yuzhou, fast food or otherwise, with the closest being Dico's. The locals don't even eat steamed rice, so expect to eat plenty of noodles for every meal, although there is a hot pot street, plenty of street food, and many Muslim restaurants run by the Hui minority, selling well-known dishes such as Da Pan Ji 大盘鸡 with a local twist. Popular dishes at small restaurants include Mi Pir 米皮儿 (cold/lukewarm rice noodles served with some shredded cucumber, sesame paste and hot pepper paste, delicious and much better than it sounds), 豆面 (noodles made from mung beans, served in a thick soup with vegetables), and 烩面 (the local version of hand-pulled noodles served with meat and vegetables).

Drink
Drink beer while eating noodles and lamb skewers on the street in summer, or head to a KTV.

Go next
Buses run frequently to surrounding towns for less than ¥10, and express buses reach Xuchang in 40 minutes and Zhengzhou in 1.5 hours.

title: Yuzhou


text:
Yverdon

Yverdon-les-Bains with its 24,000 inhabitants, is the second largest town in the Canton de Vaud. Situated at the southern shore of the Lac de Neuchâtel, it is the southern gate to the Pays des Trois-Lacs (Three Lakes Region), host of the 2002 National Exhibition (Expo.02) in Switzerland.

Understand
Mainly known for its thermal baths, this town has also a rich history and art life. It offers a prehistoric site of standing stones (dolmen) that is more than 6'000 years old, ruins of the Roman town, a castle of the 13th century, as well as a church and a city hall of the 18th century. The arts are well represented with the theatre Benno Besson, the Museum of Yverdon, the Swiss fashion museum, and the science fiction museum La Maison d'Ailleurs.

Get in
Yverdon-les-Bains is served by one of the most efficient passenger rail services in the world, the Swiss Federal Rail. Trains run roughly each hour between 05:20 and 00:06 every day to and from Geneva, Zurich, Berne, Lausanne, Neuchatel, Biel, Fribourg and points in between.

Get around
The transport company TRAVYS (Transport Vallée de Joux - Yverdon-les-Bains - Sainte-Croix) allows you to travel in and around Yverdon-les-Bains. Buses run roughly each 20 minutes between 6AM and 8PM every day.

See

 * The area around the beaches is somewhat industrial, but there are a few cool spots along the shore of the lake. Walk along the canals, watch the birds, and see the (partially rebuilt) menhirs of Clendy. These are situated in the forest, close to the roundabout at the exit of Yverdon towards Estavayer. The most convenient parking lot is the one at the main beach.
 * There is a nature reserve at Champ-Pittet with a forest path and a footbridge through the swamps which leads to a watchtower. The fauna and flora here is typical of the southern shore of Lake Neuchatel. There's even a train station of the Yverdon-Fribourg line near the entrance: get off at Yverdon-Champ-Pittet.
 * The area around the beaches is somewhat industrial, but there are a few cool spots along the shore of the lake. Walk along the canals, watch the birds, and see the (partially rebuilt) menhirs of Clendy. These are situated in the forest, close to the roundabout at the exit of Yverdon towards Estavayer. The most convenient parking lot is the one at the main beach.
 * There is a nature reserve at Champ-Pittet with a forest path and a footbridge through the swamps which leads to a watchtower. The fauna and flora here is typical of the southern shore of Lake Neuchatel. There's even a train station of the Yverdon-Fribourg line near the entrance: get off at Yverdon-Champ-Pittet.
 * The area around the beaches is somewhat industrial, but there are a few cool spots along the shore of the lake. Walk along the canals, watch the birds, and see the (partially rebuilt) menhirs of Clendy. These are situated in the forest, close to the roundabout at the exit of Yverdon towards Estavayer. The most convenient parking lot is the one at the main beach.
 * There is a nature reserve at Champ-Pittet with a forest path and a footbridge through the swamps which leads to a watchtower. The fauna and flora here is typical of the southern shore of Lake Neuchatel. There's even a train station of the Yverdon-Fribourg line near the entrance: get off at Yverdon-Champ-Pittet.

Do

 * Football: Yverdon-Sport FC play soccer in Swiss Super League, the top tier. Their home ground Stade Municipal (capacity 6600) is on the waterfront near the railway station.

Go next

 * Lausanne
 * Neuchâtel
 * The Jura Mountains: Sainte-Croix, Vallorbe, Vallée de Joux
 * Avenches and the ruins of the old roman city of Aventicum
 * Fribourg

title: Yverdon


text:
Yzerfontein

Yzerfontein is a fishing village on South Africa's Western Cape, which typifies the natural beauty and simplicity of the area. It is known for its west coast hospitality, long beach, spring flowers and beautiful views.

Understand
The town has about 1100 inhabitants (2011) on the west coast of South Africa about 90 km north of Cape Town. The name in Afrikaans means "Iron Fountain".

By car
From Cape Town take either the N7 highway and exit towards Darling or the more scenic R27 along the coast. Follow it until you find the turn-off to Yzerfontein. Passing the lime kilns you will see that there are three ways to go:
 * turn left and you will be taken past the petrol station to Pearl Bay
 * driving straight and you will pass the tourist office, the harbour, Yzerfontein point, Schaap Island and eventually end up at Pearl Bay, too.
 * turn right and you will go to the beach.

By plane
As the nearest airport is in Cape Town you will need to drive from there.

See

 * All-year-round, fynbos can be seen flourishing in Yzerfontein; however in the spring the village is smothered with a variety of stunning wild flowers; the dunes & veld in and around Yzerfontein are massed with brightly coloured indigenous flowers.
 * Archaeological digs in Yzerfontein have found remains of food and tools left by ancient people, who inhabited Yzerfontein. They hunted antelope such as reedbuck and the extinct Cape Zebra and Bloubok, and also dined on shellfish, penguins, cormorants, tortoises, dune mole rats, snakes and ostrich eggs. However, they didn't seem to feast on the Yzerfontein's bounty of fish.
 * Sixteen Mile Beach stretches north from the main beach of the town, to the West Coast National Park, which borders the town.

Do

 * The climb to the top of Pearl Bay Heights on the southern end of Yzerfontein is well worth the effort. On a clear day there is a stunning view of Table Mountain and Dassen Island.

Eat
During the day-time, "the Droograk Deli" in Villa Fontana is a small but very efficient place to eat breakfast or lunch and offers a never to beat Sunday lunch. Enjoy your meal to be treated in personal attended service by owners Jan and Ida Visser.

Go next

 * About 10 km due west of Yzerfontein is Dassen Island, known for its birdlife and penguin colony.
 * Darling is 23 km inland from here. Follow the R307.

title: Yzerfontein


text:
Zaandam

Zaandam is a medium-sized town just north of the Dutch capital Amsterdam. It is a short journey from Amsterdam. Zaandam is part of the municipality of Zaanstad (consisting of seven towns of which Zaandam is the biggest) in the Zaan Region.

Understand
Directly outside the train station Zaandam is a shopping esplanade (which is being completely rebuilt), bike rental, taxis and a hotel. It takes a 10-minute walk through the rather dull shopping esplanade (called Gedempte Gracht) to get to the slightly more atmospheric area where you can find the pubs and restaurants. That area, with streets like the Zuiddijk and Prins Hendrikkade, is located at the waterfront of the river Zaan.

In all honesty, the centre of Zaandam is not very special, except for a few nice pubs and a venue with live music. The centre is a big construction site, as the town council is putting much effort into reconstructing and rebuilding the city centre under the name "project Inverdan". This project consists of the building of a completely new town hall adjacent to the railway station, a brand new hotel which looks like a pile of wooden houses from the Zaan Region, a shopping mall and apartment complex (Hermitage) and bringing the water back into the Gedempte Gracht shopping mall.

You can explore the typical Dutch landscape with completely flat meadows and windmills around the city. The Zaan Region is possibly the oldest industrial area in the world (as it was not driven by steam but by wind), and it is shown in many old buildings. Zaandam is an excellent starting point for a cycling trip through the region.

By plane
Direct trains to Zaandam run twice every hour from Schiphol Airport. (These trains have the destination Hoorn). In all other cases you can take any train with the destination Amsterdam Centraal that stops at Amsterdam Sloterdijk and change there for Zaandam.

By train
Zaandam is just two stops from Amsterdam Central Station. You pass through station Amsterdam Sloterdijk. Trains leave regularly (4-8 trains per hour) until 01:00.

If you are going to visit the Zaanse Schans open air museum, take the "Sprinter" train with destination Uitgeest (runs 4 times per hour on weekdays, half-hourly on Saturdays and Sundays) and get off at Koog-Zaandijk railway station (4th stop). From here it is about 10-min walk to the Zaanse Schans.

By car
From the northern Amsterdam ring-road (Ringweg A10), take the A8 to Zaanstad/Zaandam, and follow the signs.

By bus
Connexxion bus lines 92 and 94 run at least 4x per hour to Zaandam Centre (Peperstraat Bus Station) and Zaandam Railway Station. Bus line 91 runs from Amsterdam Central station to the Zaanse Schans open air museum.

Get around
Connexxion operates local buses in this area.

Do
The whole area around the river Zaan, to be explored biking, walking, driving around or boating over the Zaan River. You will see a great mix of old style industry unusual for the Netherlands, old wooden houses and windmills, together with open green pastures (grass land) in the span of just a few miles. It will be like different epochs clash. This journey has to be arranged on an individual basis, as outside the Zaanse Schans tourism is not very well developed.

Sleep

Go next
The Zaanse Schans is north of Zaandam, but still in the Zaan Region. It is an open air museum that consists of old windmills and the original wooden houses. These windmills have approximately 1 million visitors each year.

title: Zaandam


text:
Zaanse Schans

The Zaanse Schans is an open air conservation area and museum, on the bank of the Zaan River, north of Zaandam in the Netherlands. It displays the traditional architecture of the area (green wooden houses) and has several functioning windmills and craftsman's workshops, which are open to visitors. Located next to it is the regional museum, the Zaans Museum.

By train
To get there, take a train to railway station Zaandijk Zaanse Schans. The ride is several stops from Amsterdam Central Station and takes 18 minutes. From there, walk 10–15 minutes along Stationsstraat in the village of Zaandijk until you see a windmill, and then cross the river on a bridge by that windmill.

By bus
Alternatively, Connexxion serves the area with buses. Take bus 391 from Amsterdam Central Station which has its terminus right beside the main entrance of the Zaanse Schans. The bus ride takes you there in around 40–45 minutes and the bus leaves every 30 minutes (in rush hours even more frequently). The bus link at Central Station is at the bus station at the east side of the main station entrance, at the bridge. The buses are the only ones painted red, so you can't miss them.

By car
You can also reach it by car: From Amsterdam take the A7 in the direction of Leeuwarden and take exit 2 Zaanstad-Het Kalf, then turn left and follow the signs for Zaanse Schans.

By boat
The Zaanferry is a boat connection from Amsterdam Central Station to the Zaanse Schans. The Zaanferry leaves every Thursday, Friday, Saturday and in the summer also on Sunday from Amsterdam Central Station (steiger 14) to the Zaanse Schans and back. A single ticket costs €10 and a return €15. The ticket is valid all day and you can board and disembark an unlimited number of times.

Several tour companies also offer half-day trips to Zaanse Schans, with transportation to/from Amsterdam included.

Get around
Walking to the end of the area is about a kilometer, so you can easily get around on foot. It is also popular to navigate through the surrounding area by bicycle. You cannot rent a bicycle at the Zaanse Schans or Koog-Zaandijk railway station, but you can at the railway stations in Zaandam and Amsterdam.

Open air museum
The access for the open air museum is free, the wooden houses are mainly normal living houses. Most of the windmills can be visited for a small fee.

Zaandijk
Zaandijk is the community lying between the railway line and the bridge to Zaanse Schans. The street Lagedijk, running by the windmill De Bleeke Dood, is mostly lined with attractive Dutch houses between Boschjesstraat at the south end and the canal Zaandijker Sluisloot at the north end.

Buy

There are many gift shops selling much of the same touristy things. However there is a clog workshop with a store selling many designs and sizes. The cheesemaking workshop too has a shop selling a variety of cheeses.

The bakery In den Gecroonde Duyvekater sells typical sweet bread and self-made candies. The grocery store of Albert Heijn gives you an idea how the first grocery around 1900 was set up. This was the first store of Albert Heijn, which is the largest supermarket chain in the Netherlands. They sell some tourist-oriented products of Albert Heijn.

Eat
There is also a smaller cafe, a fried food snack bar and many gift shops. Not to mention the cheese available on site.

Go next
There are many other interesting villages in Zaanstreek-Waterland, including Broek in Waterland, Edam, Marken, Monnickendam, and Volendam.

title: Zaanse Schans


text:
Zabaykalsk

Zabaykalsk (Russian: Забайка́льск zuh-bigh-KAHL'SK; "beyond the Baikal") is a city in Zabaykalsky Krai in Russia.

By train
Zabaykalsk is the final stop on the Russian side of the Russia-China border on the Trans-Manchurian route from Moscow to Beijing. Trains from Russian stations, Irkutsk, Ulan Ude and Chita stop regularly at Zabaykalsk with a weekly service from Chinese stations, Manzhouli, Harbin and Beijing. The service from Irkutsk decouples from a Irkutsk-Kharbarosk at Chita waiting six hours before coupling with the Chita-Zabaykalsk service. It is possible to look around Chita during this break or stay on the carriage in the shunting yards. Toilets are closed for the full 6 hours with the station a 15 min walk away. The route Chita-Zabaykalsk is serviced daily. If you get off in Zabaykalsk, you need to take a bus to cross the border to Manzhouli but you have to buy the train ticket at Manzhouli at the spot (no pre-booking service).

Tickets and timetables are available via the Russian national operator RZD.

By bus
The bus station is located 800 m from the train station. After leaving the train, head along the platform in the direction from which the train came. Take the footbridge out of the station then follow the station fence in the direction the train was heading (ie China). Look out for the flashing lights on the giant welcome gate.

Expect no one in Zabaykalsk bus station or officials on either side of this border to speak English.

Several busses run daily between Zabaykalsk and Manzhouli, China. The last bus from Zabaykalsk bus station (located near the train station) leaves 15:10 so it might be a good idea to arrive there earlier as Zabaykalsk is probably not a place where you are interested to stay overnight.

Busses arrive at the city centre of Manzhouli.

Bus tickets for this route are ₽300 plus ₽100 for baggage. An additional fee of ₽200 is paid on the Chinese side of the border.

By foot or bicycle
Zabaykalsk is 10 km from Manzhouli, and the road is quite calm with nice wide shoulders. However, as of December 2013, crossing the border by foot or bicycle was not allowed by the Chinese border guards: you have to go in a motor vehicle, bus or take the non-daily train across the border.

Do
Zabaykalsk is almost more a village than a city. The main reason you are here is probably because you are either going to cross a border to China or you've come from China to Russia.

There most likely isn't much to do for a tourist here.

Go next

 * Manzhouli, China

title: Zabaykalsk


text:
Zabaykalsky Krai

The Eastern Siberian territory of Zabaykalsky Krai (Russian: Забайкальский край) was formed in 2008 by the merger of Chita Oblast with its smaller neighbor Agin-Buryat Autonomous Okrug. It borders Buryatia to the west, Irkutsk Oblast to the northwest, Yakutia to the north, Amur Oblast to the northeast, Northeast China to the east, and Mongolia to the south.

Cities

 * — the largest city and the region's capital

 * the capital of the Aginskoye-Buryat Autonomous region is a center of Buryat culture
 * — gateway to the pristine and remote Kodar Mountains Region of northern Chita Oblast, home to snow-capped mountains, the Chara Sand Dunes, numerous small, isolated Evenk villages, and a former Stalinist gulag network; reachable via plane or rail from Chita or via the Baikal-Amur Mainline
 * — founded in 1654, this town was the regional hub for Chinese trade until it was surpassed by Chita on the new railway in the late 19th century; a very historical town with some impressive architectural monuments in varying states of disrepair; also, there is a nearby 350 year old monastery marking the spot of Nerchinsk's former location
 * — an old site of the Decembrist exiles on the Trans-Siberian Railway
 * - on the border to China, you will pass through here if you travel on the Trans-Manchurian.

Other destinations

 * – home to Mt Alkhanai, sacred to the Indigenous Buryats people with two unofficial visits having been made by the Dalai Lama
 * — a balneological spa in a mountain valley

Understand
Chita Oblast is similar to Buryatia in the great diversity and beauty of its landscapes. It is, however, far less visited than its western neighbor. Chita Oblast derives much of its importance to Russia from its proximity to China. As such, it has served as a point for international trade, migration, and even war. Today Chita Oblast contains a large Russian military presence — for this reason Chita was a "closed city" during the Soviet era.

Talk
Expect that Russian will come in handy in this remote Siberian region.

Get in
Chita is the principal arrival point for most visitors, who usually arrive on the Trans-Siberian Railway, although the Baikal-Amur Mainline also cuts through Chita Oblast's more isolated north. Chita is also served by VIM Airlines from Moscow and Bratsk. However, VIM are by far the worst airline in Russia and it is a much better idea to fly Siberian (S7) or Ural Airlines.

Go next
The next major stops on the Trans-Siberian Railway are Ulan Ude to the west and Skovorodino and Svobodny to the east. On the Baikal-Amur Mainline: Severobaikalsk to the west and Tynda to the east.

title: Zabaykalsky Krai


text:
Zabid

Zabid (Arabic: زبيد, also transliterated Zebid) is a city in Coastal Plains of Yemen, west of the country, near the Red Sea Coast. It is one of the oldest towns in Yemen, and has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1993. However, in 2000, the site was placed on the List of World Heritage in Danger.

Understand

Once the capital of the country, between 13th and 15th centuries, and a centre of Islamic education, the old town of Zabid has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Zabid was known as a center of the Arab and Muslim world, especially for Islamic education, due in large part to its famed University of Zabid.

See
Zabid's Great Mosque occupies a prominent place in the town.

The vestiges of its university can also be visited.

title: Zabid