text:
Langzhong

Langzhong (阆中; Làngzhōng) is a town in northeastern Sichuan province.

Langzhong is a city of about 100,000 people on the Jialing River. The main attraction is the ancient town (古镇, Gǔ zhèn), a mostly unadulterated section of ancient architecture, closed to vehicle traffic. The town is famous as the abode and headquarters of Zhangfei (张飞), a notable emperor during the years of the Han dynasty. There are also some hiking and sightseeing opportunities in the surrounding area.

Langzhong's size and offerings makes for an ideal weekend trip, but could host several days of sightseeing, especially for those interested in classical Chinese culture and architecture.

By train
Langzhong is now connected to China's high speed rail network. One high speed train departs daily from Chengdu, departing from Chengdu East Station (2.5 hours, ¥95). There is also one slow train daily from the same station (4 hours, ¥49.5). Trains from Chongqing are much more frequent, with five high-speed trains departing daily from Chongqing North Station (2 hours, ¥88), and several slower trains departing daily from both Chongqing Station and Chongqing North Station (3 to 5 hours, 41).

The railway station is located about 4km southwest of the old city.

By bus
Three buses leave daily from Mianyang (4 hours, ¥75), departing from Fu Le bus station northeast of the city. There are also multiple buses leaving from Chengdu's Beimen station (5 hours, ¥94). Chongqing and Xi'an also offer buses to Langzhong.

The main bus station is located 5km south of the town. Another, smaller station is located north of town. The two bus stations are connected by bus 89, which also passes by the old town.

Get around
Langzhong has a simple bus system with several lines serving the bus station, Grand Buddha, and old town. Taxi flag fall is ¥4.5.

See
The main attraction is the old town (古镇, Gǔ zhèn), a sizable section of ancient-looking buildings in classical style. It was from this town that the famed warrior-king Zhangfei administered the Kingdom of Shu during the late Han.

The town offers a combined ticket (¥120) to seven main attractions, listed below. The combined ticket is valid for 2 days. Individual tickets can also be purchased for each attraction. All sites have slightly informative English captions on some displays. Once in the old town, these sites are easy to find by either following town maps posted everywhere, or buying a town map (¥5-10).

For the very time- or budget- conscious, a tower and the Fengshui museum will probably suffice. Otherwise, these and various other sights make for a day or more of sightseeing.

The following sights are either free or charge a fee which is not included in the price of the combined ticket:

Do
In addition to sightseeing in the old town, there are two mountain areas south of the town, just across the river.

One of these, southeast of the city, is a large mountain park. Referred to collectively as East Mountain Forest Park (东山林园, dōng shān lín yuán) it hosts three major sights:

The scenic area is accessible a number of ways. Tourist transport buses and ferries run between the town and the scenic area. The public bus also stops at the entrance to the park (bus stop: Grand Buddha Temple Park Entrance, 大佛寺园入口). From the bus stop, walk up the signed road. You can walk to the Buddha Temple (3km) or to a set of steep stairs on your right (1km) which goes to the pagoda. From there, follow signs to the remaining sights.

Probably the most rewarding experience in any time of year is a few hours dedicated to wandering the streets, looking for glimpses of the goings-on of ancient China.

Eat
Langzhong is famed as one of China's main vinegar production centers. However, despite what some popular guidebooks say, everything is not pickled here.

One local specialty is Zhangfei's Beef (张飞牛肉, Zhāngfēi niúròu), a dried beef dish attributed to the warrior-king, who was a butcher of animals before he became a butcher of men.

Within the old town, most of the best dining is found on North street (北街, Běi jiē) (changing to South street after crossing the main street, Wumiao jie).

Guzhen Bakery Just north of the Zhongtian tower at Wumiao Jie is a very small bakery whose extremely jolly proprietor will gladly speak English with foreign guests. Look for candied hamburgers (¥4).

For a delightful meal full of atmosphere, try dinner just south of Zhongtian Tower on south street. Look for a huge wok of fried dumplings. A plate of these and a self-serve bowl of pumpkin porridge with pickled vegetables costs about ¥10.

Drink
There are no obvious dedicated drinking establishments within the Old Town itself. Beer can be bought at most restaurants. Coffee/milk tea bars are common in the old town.

Sleep
There are many courtyard homesteads in the old town, often advertised as "so-and-so's family complex." Some, such as the Li Family Courtyard, are quite similar to the complexes where families lived in ancient times. There is no shortage of these: look for the sign 住宿, or sleeping-place, or just walk into any open, inviting looking courtyard. Most proprietors are glad to rent space to travelers for around ¥100 for a double.

title: Langzhong


text:
Lankaran

Lankaran, Lenkeran, or Lenkoran (Lənkəran) is in Azerbaijan's Talysh Region.

Population
Lankaran has a population of about 89,300, with about half comprised of ethnic Talish. The area is noted for a high concentration of Shia Islam adherents, like its neighbor to the south, Iran.

History
Lankaran is one of the oldest settlements in Azerbaijan. Facts confirmed by archeologists state that the area was inhabited from the Bronze Age. Because of the linkages between the East and the West such as the silk route, Lankaran continued to grow as a major stopover point for caravan routes. In 1742, the Talish Khanate moved its capital to Lankaran. From antiquity, people throughout Lankaran have been involved in animal husbandry, horticulture, aquaculture, and sericulture. Trades such as blacksmithing, coppersmithing, pottery, and weaving are key cultural traditions throughout Lankaran. Blacksmith, copper-smith, pottery and other trades were widely spread in Lankaran. Since the Khanate established its capitol in Lankaran, there was a great surge in trade relations between Iran, Turkey, Russia, China, India, Pakistan, and Central Asia. With the signing of the "Gulustan Treaty" in 1829 between Russia and Persia, Northern Azerbaijan was occupied by Russia. With the Russian occupation, people took the lead in the development of several new industries in Lankaran such as viniculture, ceramics, and brick making, and aided in creating trade ties between Lankaran and Russia. Through this exchange, Lankran strengthened its cultural roots, and its scientific, educational, health, and industrial bases.

Location
Lankaran is in a very beautiful part of Azerbaijan. It lies in the South-East of the country. Lankaran is in one of the five natural geographical regions of Azerbaijan. The territory of Lankaran region borders on the Kur-Araz lowland in the North and the Caspian Sea in the South-East. It is surrounded by the Astara, Masalli and Lerik rayons. According to the relief, the territory consists mainly of plains and partly mountainous and it becomes narrow to the South. The highest point in Lankaran is 200 meters in the foothills and the lowest point in Lankaran is 28 meters below sea level by the Caspian coast. The distance between Lankaran and Baku is 268 km.

Climate

 * Winter - The winters are cool, but there is not very much precipitation from December to March.
 * Spring - The spring in Lankaran is beautiful allowing people to take a long neglected walk along the seaside.
 * Summer - The summer in Lankaran is hot, but it is quite beautiful during the morning and the evening.
 * Fall - The fall stay quite warm during the day, but at night it gets a bit cool.

By taxi
Until the airport begins operating again, the fastest between Baku and Lankaran is by taxi - it takes about 3.5 hours. Going from Baku to Lankaran costs 10 manat per seat (4 people). The “Lavangi” Avtovagzal (Auto Station) services the transport to/from Baku for taxis, buses, and marshrutka. The Lankaran Avtovagzal # is 0171-45928.

By train
The train station is located in the city center. There is an electric and night train service that runs between Baku and Lankaran. The electric train ticket cost around 2.5 manat and leaves Baku at 08:00 and returns to Baku at 17:00. The night train costs between 3.20-5.40 manat and leaves Baku at 23:30 and returns at 21:00.

By bus or marshrutka
Buses are a comfortable option, but take longer than taxis or marshrutkas.

From specific destinations:
 * Baku – 11:50, 16:00, 15:00. 5-6 hr. 5 manat. Buses and marshrutkas depart from Baku's 20th January terminal every other hour starting at 8. They also leave about every hour from the “Lavangi” Avtovaqzal outside of the city center.
 * Baku Airport via Baku – 17:00
 * Yevlakh – 08:30
 * Ganja – 08:00, 09:00
 * Qazakh – 08:50
 * Sumqayit – 08:30

By taxi
Taxis are quite convenient if you know where you want to go within the city. Addresses are quite useless, so it would be better to get a landmark that you know of and direct the taxi driver there. It costs 1 manat per ride in a taxi.

By bus or marshrutka
All Intra-City buses depart and return from the Big Bazaar in Lankaran city.

 * 1 Dairavi Circle Route A: Big Bazaar, Tofig Ismayilov Street, Azriba district, Diagnostic Center, Lavangi Bus Station, Shahidlar Khiyabani Sh/Kh, Small Bazaar Mosque, Big Bazaar
 * 2 Dairavi Circle Route B: Big Bazaar, Small Bazaar Mosque, Shahidlar Khiyabani Sh/Kh, Lavangi Bus Station, Tofig Ismayilov Street, Big Bazaar
 * 3 and 4 Digah-Shilavar Route: Big Bazaar, School #5, Shilavar, Digah, Hanifa Abdullayev Street (Turkish Lyceum), Sattarkhan Street, Koroglu Street (near the Gala Hotel), Big Bazaar.
 * 5 Lankaran-Microrayon Route A: Big Bazaar, H. Aslanov Street (near the Gala Hotel, in front of the Department Store), Heydar Aliyev Street, Shahidlar Khiyabani Sh/Kh, Tofig Ismayilov, Ali Mammadov Street, 2nd Microrayon Wedding Palace (Shadliq Evi), Z. Aliyeva Street, Heydar Aliyev Street, Mir Mustafakhan Street, Big Bazaar
 * 6 Lankaran-Microrayon Route B: Big Bazaar, H. Aslanov Street, Heydar Aliyev Street, Z. Aliyeva, Ali Mammadov Street, 2nd Microrayon Wedding Palace (Shadliq Evi), Hanifa Abdullayev Street, Heydar Aliyev Street, Shahidlar Khiyabani Sh/Kh Circle, Heydar Aliyev Street, Mir Mustafakhan Street, Big Bazaar

Talk
In spite of the different tourist venues in Lankaran, English is not widely spoken so it would be wise to either bring an Azeri phrase book or brush up on your Russian/Azeri/Turkish before arriving. Talish is also widely spoken in Lankaran.

The accent of Lankaran is different than standard Azeri. Often, Farsi and Talish words are interspersed in the residents’ vernacular.

Museums
There are a few historical museums in Lankaran that are both culturally informative as well as historically significant.
 * There is a memorial house-museum for major-general Hazi Aslanov in the Lenkaran region that was constructed in 1969. There is also a monument constructed in the city center for General Aslanov in 1983.
 * There is a historical-local lore museum containing memorabilia of Mir Akhmed of Talysh Khan in his former apartment house built in 1913.

Cultural centres
Public Baths (Hamamlar)
 * The Khaji Mirze and the Khaji Gurban baths (hamamlar) are located near the small bazaar. A European styled public bath is located in Lankaran.

Mosques
 * There are two major mosques within the city of Lankaran. One by the small bazaar and one by the large bazaar.
 * Located in the Sutamurdov settlement outside of Lankaran, there is an old mosque that was constructed in the 19th century by the name “Khajy Novruzali”.
 * Located in the Shikhakeren settlement there is a mosque constructed in the 19th century.
 * Located in the Jil settlement, there is a mosque constructed in 1906.

Churches
 * There are some Russian Orthodox churches scattered throughout the region of Lankaran.

Itineraries
Go on an adventure such as a tour of the "pirs" which are mystical holy places that are scattered around the southern region.

Friday
 * Arrive in the evening, check in to a hotel
 * Go to a local restaurant and try the Lavangi chicken with plov (rice)
 * Drink Lankaran tea at nearby chay hana (teahouse) and chat/play dominoes with locals

Saturday
 * Buy freshly-baked tendir bread for breakfast and eat with butter and honey/cheese
 * Walk through the bazaar and look at the various local handicrafts
 * Buy a picnic lunch for trip to Istisu (make sure to also bring a towel)
 * Take the bus to Istisu from big bazaar and get off at the Sanitorium (last stop; 0.20 manat)
 * Hike up the Talish hills behind the Sanitorium and have a picnic at the top
 * Go down to Sanitorium and take a dip in hot spring spa (ask for large private room; 1 manat/person)
 * Return to town by taxi for 2 manat.
 * Eat dinner at a local restaurant and try the various BBQ meat or fish (kabab) dishes

Sunday
 * Walk around the city to see the places of interest
 * Try some gutab (flat pancake) and a refreshing kokteyl (like milkshake) for a snack
 * Take a refreshing walk on the beach by the Caspian Sea
 * Depart for your next destination

Buy

 * Big Bazaar – Stroll through the interconnected outdoor and indoor bazaar for a shopping extravaganza of anything and everything. Exploring and discovering is half the fun!
 * Zanbil – Zanbil is a weaved basket that comes in different sizes. Large baskets are used in bazar shopping. Small baskets can be sometimes used as purses.
 * Talish Knitted Socks (Tohuma Jorab) – Talish women traditionally wear colorful clothes (red is a favorite) and Jorab knitted socks are worn in the cold season. Prices range from 1-6 manat depending on length of the socks.
 * Lankaran Tea (Chay) – Lankaran is well-known throughout Azerbaijan for producing the best tea in the country. Lankaran Tea is a very popular gift purchase by visitors from Baku and other regions. Tea is sold in 100g and 0.5kg bags and prices range from 8-16 manat per kilo.
 * Kalosh – Kalosh is a rubber boot that is used by the Talish people in the rainy season.

ATMs
International Bank of Azerbaijan
 * Digah (Azpetrol)
 * 18 Sh. Akhundov street
 * H. Aslanov avenue (Central department store)

Regional specialties

 * Lavangi Chicken – When going to restaurants or households in Lankaran, you will probably be offered this dish. This dish is cooked with a special nut and onion stuffing inside. You can also get Fish (Balig) Lavangi.
 * Tendir Bread – The tendir is a traditional clay oven where this special bread is made. Hot tendir bread with cheese and butter is a real treat. Lavangi chicken is also traditionally cooked in a tendir.
 * Plov – In Lankaran, there are many different types of rice dishes by the name of plov. These include dill plov, potato plov, pea plov, and fish plov.
 * Gutab – Gutab is a crunchy, fried dough with fillings inside. Try it with potato (kartov) or stomach meat (qarin) fillings and make sure to sprinkle lots of sumac spice with its astringent-acidic flavour.
 * kokteyl – A refreshing, milkshake-like drink.
 * Cookies – Make sure you eat the Lankaran cookies. They are very famous and well-known, as well as the traditional lunch or lunchiness of this city.
 * Other foods – Lankaran has a great deal of subtropical foods such as feyhoa, quince, cumquat, pomegranate, lemon, mandarin oranges, and tea. If you have a chance, make sure to try some of these regional foods.

Bars
Çay Xana often serve local piva (beer)- draft at 50 qapick/glass or bottles at 70 qapick/bottle or araq (vodka) at 2 manat per bottle. These can be found in almost any area throughout Azerbaijan. Lankaran has its own brew of beer on tap, so it may be interesting to try something different. If you desire anything exotic (e.g. Tiquella, Gin, Rum), you have to go to a modern hotel or restaurant.

Tea houses (Çay Xanalar)
Lankaran tea – in this city of large tea fields – is recommended along with the above mentioned cookies.

A nice place for men to drink tea, play dominoes, and catch up on the local gossip or talk about the best things to see in the area. This may be a great experience if you have language ability in Turkish, Russian, or Azerbaijani. Please look at the above mentioned cultural note under the “bars” subheading.

Cafés
Cafés in Lankaran are really small restaurants. If you are looking for coffee, go to the Gala hotel in town.

Home-stay
There are some homestays in Lankaran city and Burjeli (next to Hirkan Milli Park). Price per person is around 10 manat/night (including meals).

Connect

 * Internet cafes are available around the city center and are called "internet clubs". There is a good internet cafe located near the Post Office. Cost is typically 0.40 manat per hour.
 * Azerbaijan Post Office is located by the Heydar Aliyev Park. A typical international letter/stamp combination costs 0.80 manat.

Stay safe
The security in Lankaran is very high and nothing to worry about.

Pack a flashlight (especially in fall-spring) as the streets are not always well lit and power cuts are common.

Emergency contact numbers

 * Fire: 0171-101
 * Police: 0171-102
 * Ambulance: 0171-103
 * City hospital: 0171-479-32

The city hospital is located north of the city center.

You must speak in Azeri, Russian, or Turkish to communicate your needs. It would be a good idea to memorize key phrases before coming to Azerbaijan - see the Talk section for phrasebooks.

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

title: Lankaran


text:
Lankayan Island

Lankayan Island is a small island that's part of the East Malaysian state of Sabah. This place is famous for excellent scuba diving. There are many wrecks (Mosquito, Jetty) and beautiful reefs to dive. There are also many small critters to find on the sandy bottom. Whale sharks are sometimes spotted there too.

Get in
To get to the island you need to fly to Sandakan and then take a boat from the resort.

Sleep
There is only one resort on the island.

title: Lankayan Island


text:
La Nouaye

La Nouaye (Breton: Lanwaz) is a commune in the department of Ille-et-Vilaine in Brittany. The commune of La Nouaye is part of Montfort-sur-Meu county. It comes under the control of Rennes. Two brooks cross the village, one demarcating Iffendic and La Nouaye, the other crossing the town in the north of its territory. It is surrounded by Montfort-sur-Meu, Bédée, Iffendic, Breteil, Pleumeleuc, Talensac, Saint-Gonlay.

Understand
La Nouaye is an old parish, probably dating from the 9th century. It was written Lanoas in 1189, Lamnoê in 1516, La Nouais in the XVIIIth century and Lanouaye in 1872.

The parish of La Nouaye, an enclave in the diocese of Saint-Malo, was part of the deanery of Bobital, coming under the diocese of Dol and which was under the term of Saint Etienne.

By plane
The closest airport is in Rennes.

By train
Railway station of Montfort-sur-Meu, direct lines from Rennes.

By bus
Illenoo Bus, line 2: Breteil, Iffendic, La Nouaye, Montfort-sur-Meu, departing from the railway station of Rennes.

By car
Take the road RN24 (Rennes / Vannes-Lorient) and the exit Talensac-Montfort.

title: La Nouaye


text:
Lanquín

Lanquín is a town located in the southern portion of the Northern Lowlands in Guatemala.

It is much hotter here than in the highlands as it is in the deep valleys between the mountains.

Get in

 * Most people get to Lanquin from Coban. The minibus costs Q25 (Feb 2023), and will include stops to pick up locals. A private shuttle will cost more.

Get around

 * Walking is the best way to get around town. As it is not too large, most things can be reached within a twenty minute walk.  In addition, you can get anywhere via Tuk Tuks which can be seen on the streets sometimes as late as 11PM or you can try to hitch a ride in a local truck for a couple of quetzales.

See

 * Semuc Champey - Located about 7km outside of Lanquin, along rough road is a series of tiered limestone pools of varying shades of turquoise. A wild river runs underneath the pools here. Hike up to the mirador for a view pools.  Swim in the pools and jump off of the rocks.  (Feb 2023) Q25 for a pickup ride from Lanquín to Semuc Champey. The road is under construction to be replaced with a paved road, therefore, expect extra time to get there.
 * Unknown waterfalls - Continue outside of Lanquin, past El Retiro for about four miles. You will come to another village.  Ask about the waterfalls there (cascadas or cataratas), and someone will point them out.
 * Bats at Dusk - Go to the Grutas de Lanquin (Lanquin caves) at twilight. Go into the cave entrance and enjoy as the bats fly around your head as they exit the cave.  Go in a large group, and negotiate a reduced rate.  Show up after dark, and get in free (but miss most of the show). You can also stand on the riverbank for free and see the stunning spectacle of millions of bats streaming out of the cave mouth. Best to arrive just before sunset and wait around.

Do

 * River Tubing - Tube down the Lanquin river to El Retiro. Cost is Q20 for tube, ride, and entrance fee.  The driver will stop for you to purchase beers.
 * Tour of Semuc Champey - This is a tour run out of El Retiro. It begins with a candlelight tour of the Grutas de Las Marias, an underwater river which involves swimming, wading, climbing up waterfalls, and jumping into water in the darkness.  Next is a jump off a 9m bridge and a float down the river.  This is followed with exploration of Semuc Champey and a climb down to see where the river exits under the pools there.
 * Festival - the town's annual festival in honor of St. Augustine is August 24 through 28. Parades, a midway carnival, games, regional food, music and dance.

Grutas de Lanquin National Park
Grutas de Lanquin is a gigantic limestone cave system that is used by the Maya civilization for mystical ceremonies to connect with the underworld. The Maya believed that the cave system was a gateway to the underworld.

The cave is partially improved with lights and paved walkways with stairs and rails for about 400 meters. Beyond that, the caves stretch deep underground. The full extent of the caves is unknown since a comprehensive map of the cave has not yet been made though local guides say they have gone as far as 3 km before turning back. Numerous stalactites lie throughout the cave, many referred to by the guides as animal shapes that an imaginitive cave explorer might see in the rocks.

Larger rooms are given names and have some good stories behind them. The Altar of the Picota is said to be where the ancient Maya performed their rituals of the underworld. The coolest story is about a bridge called Kings Fall Bridge. The story is that King Leopold of Belgium visited Guatemala in 1958 and wanted to see the caves. While he and his entourage were crossing a bridge in this room, the bridge collapsed and the king tumbled into the water below. When the bridge was rebuilt, it was dubbed Kings Fall.

Somewhere deep within the caves is the source of the Lanquin River, which spews out from the caves in a pale blue color. Bring a swimsuit or something you don't mind getting wet because you can swim in the river or float down it on an inner tube.

At dusk, clouds of bats emerge from the cave to begin their nightly feeding ritual.

Admission to the park is Q30. Bring a flashlight and wear sturdy non-slip shoes or boots. You'll have to do a bit of a hike to reach the cave entrance and once inside, rocks are often wet and slippery and many are covered in bat guano.

Buy

 * There is a small market in town, but nothing that isn't found throughout all of Guatemala.
 * There is a Banrural bank with a 5B ATM.

Eat

 * Comedor Shalom - Located in town, they provide standard Guatemalan fare for Q25.
 * Comedor Champey - Located on the road between the center of Lanquin and El Retiro, it is located near the bridge and the school. It is also denoted by Hebrew written on the sign.  Serve a very delicious schnitzel for Q25.
 * El Retiro - Serves a communal dinner every night. It is necessary to get your name on the list before you eat.  Generally more expensive, but the food is quite delicious.

Drink

 * El Retiro (see in OpenStreetMap) - Late nights with lots of fun, dancing and ribaldry that will settle up another great day in Lanquin.

Sleep

 * Zephyr Lodge - An eco friendly hostel on the top of a hill with a view on the river (and an access). Sleeping facilities goes from private (with private shower) bedrooms (Q80) to dormitories (Q35). Open air area with a 360° view of the valley, hammocks, innertubes provided to tube down the river. The food is great and cheap (Q30-40), breakfasts around Q20. Nice ambiance, very large choice of music to download, free internet and Wi-Fi, laundry service. Small tours organized to go to Semuc Champey at 8:30AM (Q90), with a particular (local) guide that will help you avoid the big tourist groups. They do their own bread, recycle plastic and batteries, they represent a sustainable community tourism and are involved with community projects.
 * El Recreo - Located as you come into town. Swimming pools and zip lines are available here.
 * El Retiro (see in OpenStreetMap) - A large guesthouse complex beautifully located next to the Lanquin River. Sleeping facilities range from Hammocks to rooms with private beds.  There is a pit for a fire, access to swim in the river, an excellent bar (although the evening meal may not suite everyone's appetite or budget) and a board tied up to surf the river.  Music downloads available for Q100 (unlimited), internet access (which often doesn't work) at Q20 for unlimited use for the duration of your stay.  An easy place to settle into for a couple of days. A look at their complaint book shows they often don't write down reservations, so have a backup option. A critical review on TripAdvisor can elicit real responses like this one: "you are such a little girl stop complaining and start living, don't you have something better to do?"
 * There are other guesthouses located centrally in Lanquin, as well as a couple of larger properties closer to Semuc Champey.

Go next

 * Many guesthouses can make travel arrangements for you.
 * El Retiro can arrange shuttles to Antigua, Cobán, Flores, and Rio Dulce (via El Estor). Be forewarned that some travellers going to Rio Dulce did part of the trip in the back of a pickup truck.
 * There are regular minibuses to Cobán from Lanquin.
 * Sayaxché, and onwards to Flores to visit the many Maya ruins in the region.

title: Lanquín


text:
Lansdale

Lansdale is a town of 16,000 people in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania.

This article also covers the nearby communities of North Wales, Souderton, Kulpsville, Harleysville, Doylestown, and Montgomeryville.

Get around
Some taxi services run in the area.

Do

 * Bike night is hosted in Lansdale one night every September, where thousands of bike enthusiasts meet in the Lansdale borough.
 * Bike night is hosted in Lansdale one night every September, where thousands of bike enthusiasts meet in the Lansdale borough.
 * Bike night is hosted in Lansdale one night every September, where thousands of bike enthusiasts meet in the Lansdale borough.
 * Bike night is hosted in Lansdale one night every September, where thousands of bike enthusiasts meet in the Lansdale borough.

Buy

 * Hennings Trains
 * Hennings Trains
 * Hennings Trains
 * Hennings Trains
 * Hennings Trains

title: Lansdale


text:
Lansdowne

There is more than one place with the name Lansdowne, you may be looking for:

Canada

 * Lansdowne (Ontario) — is part of Leeds and the 1000 Islands, between Gananoque and Brockville. See also Thousand Islands.
 * Landsdowne House is a remote (pop 300) native reservation in northern Ontario reachable only by ice road or bush plane.

India

 * Lansdowne (India) — a town in Uttarakhand

United States of America

 * Lansdowne (Pennsylvania) — a town in Pennsylvania
 * Lansdowne (Virginia) — a town in Virginia

title: Lansdowne


text:
Lansdowne (India)

Lansdowne is a small hill station in Pauri-Garhwal District of the Garhwal region of Uttarakhand. Described by some as the gates to the heavenly abode that is the Himalayas, Lansdowne is also one of the most unusual hill stations in India.

Far from the crowded, overdeveloped and noisy places that most of the popular hill stations of the north have become, Lansdowne has retained its quiet and serenity thanks to the presence of the local Army Cantonment Board which manages and regulates the development in the town.

The town is named after Lord Lansdowne the then Viceroy of India who visited the place in 1884. The town has two churches that were built in the pre-independence era, although only one, St. James, is functional. The town also has a major Hindu temple.

The town is located at an average altitude of 1,700 metres above sea level and has cold winters, cool summers and a wet and foggy rainy season. It experiences snowfall during the winter months.

From the snow view point on a clear day one can view great Himalayan peaks like Chaukhamba. The town has several pre-independence era bungalows, some of them in good shape. The connectivity is good as the roads are maintained by the army. The hill station itself is administered by the cantonment board of the Indian Army and therefore is cleaner, much less commercialized and in good shape.

Any time of year is good to visit, although May/June may be a bit crowded and rooms difficult to find.

By car
Lansdowne is around 240 km from Delhi and is the nearest hill station from Delhi (in any direction). National Highway 58 runs from Delhi to Meerut and then National Highway 119 goes all the way to Lansdowne and will take you from Delhi to Lansdowne in about 6 hours.

By train
Kotdwar, the nearest railway station, is 40 km drive uphill. Buses and taxis are available from the Kotdwar railway station directly up to the Lansdowne market; a shared taxi charges ₹75. Having your own vehicle will enable you to easily visit nearby towns and temples.

Get around
Most of Lansdowne is within walking distance of the town center.

Do
Travel to...

Buy
Though Lansdowne is a nice place, there is nothing much to buy as a souvenir. You can spend some time in the Lansdowne Market or at the Alaknanda Market. While in Alaknanda Market, do pay a visit to the shoe store and leather bags store, where any purchase may double as souvenir. Don't forget to try out mithais (sweets/desserts) called 'Chocolate' (not the usual chocolates that you buy in general stores!) and "Baal Mithai" that are popular to this region and available at local sweet shops.

Eat
Various small restaurants offer a decent selection of snacks, lunch and dinner, and most of them are located around Gandhi Chowk in the town centre.

Drink
All the restaurants serve your regular tea and coffee but do not expect to splurge on lavish cocktails or high end spirits!

Go next
Once you have seen places within Lansdowne, drive out to nearby towns such as Jai Hari Khal, Satpuli, Pauri and Srinagar. A short distance off the main road from jai Hari Khal is a temple of Bhairon Dev on the top of a hill. The trek to the temple is not very long or tiring but offers a spectacular view of the valley below.

Regular jeep taxis are available anytime from Lansdowne to Kotdwar. Also one can get buses using G.M.O.U ltd. and Uttarakhan State Road Transport Corporation.

title: Lansdowne (India)


text:
Lansdowne (Pennsylvania)

Lansdowne is a borough of 10,700 people (2019) in Pennsylvania. It has many lovely, big old houses several historic buildings, and a sycamore tree that has been growing since the 1760s.

Understand
Lansdowne, commonly confused with Lansdale, Pennsylvania, is a small, quaint place 30 minutes outside of Philadelphia. Lansdowne is 1.2 square miles in size with a population of a little over 11,000. Lansdowne is very community-based, with many community groups, such as boys and girls clubs, boys scout and girl scout troops, American Legion Posts, and many more. Lansdowne also has many places of worship and private and parochial schools. Lansdowne might be small on area and population, but it is bulging at the seams with history.

Get in
The 101 Media, and 102 Sharon Hill trolleys both run through Lansdowne along with the Media/Elwyn Line train, 109, 113, and Route 30 buses as well as various other forms of SEPTA. It is easy to figure out how to ride SEPTA through their website:

You can also drive into town and park your car in one of the many parking lots and begin your walking tour throughout one of many historic districts.

You can fly into Philadelphia International Airport and rent a car or take a taxi, if you do not live within driving distance.

See
Lansdowne provides walking tours throughout its historic districts.

 * Twentieth Century Club, . Hosts several wonderful live plays by the Celebration Theater. Tickets for these wonderful performances are only $17 for adults, $15 for students and seniors, and $12 for children.
 * Twentieth Century Club, . Hosts several wonderful live plays by the Celebration Theater. Tickets for these wonderful performances are only $17 for adults, $15 for students and seniors, and $12 for children.
 * Twentieth Century Club, . Hosts several wonderful live plays by the Celebration Theater. Tickets for these wonderful performances are only $17 for adults, $15 for students and seniors, and $12 for children.
 * Twentieth Century Club, . Hosts several wonderful live plays by the Celebration Theater. Tickets for these wonderful performances are only $17 for adults, $15 for students and seniors, and $12 for children.
 * Twentieth Century Club, . Hosts several wonderful live plays by the Celebration Theater. Tickets for these wonderful performances are only $17 for adults, $15 for students and seniors, and $12 for children.
 * Twentieth Century Club, . Hosts several wonderful live plays by the Celebration Theater. Tickets for these wonderful performances are only $17 for adults, $15 for students and seniors, and $12 for children.
 * Twentieth Century Club, . Hosts several wonderful live plays by the Celebration Theater. Tickets for these wonderful performances are only $17 for adults, $15 for students and seniors, and $12 for children.
 * Twentieth Century Club, . Hosts several wonderful live plays by the Celebration Theater. Tickets for these wonderful performances are only $17 for adults, $15 for students and seniors, and $12 for children.
 * Twentieth Century Club, . Hosts several wonderful live plays by the Celebration Theater. Tickets for these wonderful performances are only $17 for adults, $15 for students and seniors, and $12 for children.
 * Twentieth Century Club, . Hosts several wonderful live plays by the Celebration Theater. Tickets for these wonderful performances are only $17 for adults, $15 for students and seniors, and $12 for children.
 * Twentieth Century Club, . Hosts several wonderful live plays by the Celebration Theater. Tickets for these wonderful performances are only $17 for adults, $15 for students and seniors, and $12 for children.
 * Twentieth Century Club, . Hosts several wonderful live plays by the Celebration Theater. Tickets for these wonderful performances are only $17 for adults, $15 for students and seniors, and $12 for children.
 * Twentieth Century Club, . Hosts several wonderful live plays by the Celebration Theater. Tickets for these wonderful performances are only $17 for adults, $15 for students and seniors, and $12 for children.
 * Twentieth Century Club, . Hosts several wonderful live plays by the Celebration Theater. Tickets for these wonderful performances are only $17 for adults, $15 for students and seniors, and $12 for children.
 * Twentieth Century Club, . Hosts several wonderful live plays by the Celebration Theater. Tickets for these wonderful performances are only $17 for adults, $15 for students and seniors, and $12 for children.

Do
Other than exploring the beautiful history of Lansdowne, there are plenty of activities to participate in.
 * Lansdowne Folk Club has folk music concerts.
 * Lansdowne Folk Club has folk music concerts.
 * Lansdowne Folk Club has folk music concerts.

There are also nine lovely borough parks:
 * Hoffman Park, Scottdale Road. 8 acres with baseball and soccer fields, basketball courts, four tennis courts, pavilion, swings bathrooms and picnic tables.
 * Hays Park, Nyack and Sayers Avenues. 1.2 acres with basketball courts, tot-lot toys, swings, slide and picnic tables.
 * Interboro Park, Cedar and Walnut Aves. 3 acres with basketball courts, tot-lot toys, swings and slide.
 * Belmont Park, Belmont and Plumstead Aves. 3.9 acres with basketball courts, swings, slide, tot-lot toys and big toys.
 * Sycamore Park, LaCrosse and Wycombe Aves. 1-acre meditative setting with benches. Home of the symbol of Lansdowne, its very old Sycamore tree.
 * Reservoir Park, Greenwood and Ardmore Avenue. 1.4 acres, undeveloped.
 * Pennock Woods, Pennock Terrace. 6.5 acres of County open space with Lansdowne Bird Sanctuary.
 * Shrigley Woods, Scottdale and Hilldale Rds. 6.5 acres of undeveloped county open space.
 * Marlyn Park, Willowbrook and Marlyn Aves. 3 acres, passive park.

Buy

 * Antiques - Two well-stocked antique stores downtown.
 * Lansdowne Avenue has many small shops including nail salons, clothing shops, flower shops, dollar stores, convenience stores, gift shops, and other small businesses.

Eat
Most of the restaurants are small, family-owned and very inexpensive.

Drink
Lansdowne is a dry town, but the city of Philadelphia, which is only thirty minutes away, has a great night life.

There are also several beer distributors and liquor stores bordering Lansdowne on all sides.

Sleep
There are no hotels located directly in Lansdowne, but there are several very close by in Upper Darby and Philadelphia.

Cope

 * Lansdowne Public Library,.

title: Lansdowne (Pennsylvania)


text:
Lansing (disambiguation)

There's more than one place called Lansing:

United States of America

 * East Lansing - a city in Central Michigan
 * Lansing (Illinois) - a village in Cook County, in the Chicagoland region of Illinois
 * Lansing (Michigan) - the state capital of Michigan
 * Lansing (Kansas)

title: Lansing (disambiguation)


text:
Lansing (Illinois)

Lansing is a city in Illinois.

Sleep

 * Comfort Suites Lansing Hotel 2235 West 173rd St.  (708) 418-3337.  4 blocks from River Oaks Mall 30 minutes from downtown Chicago. Indoor heated pool, fitness center. Rooms are equipped with microwave, refrigerator, coffeemaker, hairdryer and a double sofa sleeper in king rooms.
 * Sleep Inn Lansing Hotel 2255 173rd St. (708) 418-3700.  Located near several specialty restaurants, theaters and shopping.  Online Reservations.

Go next
In Lansing, I 80 intersects I 94. I 94 will take you west to Chicago, Milwaukee, Minneapolis, and ultimately Billings, MT. 80 will take you to Cleveland or to Davenport.

title: Lansing (Illinois)


text:
Lansing

Lansing is a pleasant city, and as Michigan's state capital, it is home to many government offices. Downtown Lansing has a historic shopping district amidst the campus of Thomas M. Cooley Law School.

Understand
Its suburb—East Lansing—is the home of Michigan State University, a Big Ten school and one of the United States' largest and most distinguished public universities with three medical schools and a law school. General Motors has a major presence in the area.

The Lansing metro area has a population of about 464,000 (2010).

Tourist information

 * Greater Lansing tourism website

By car
Lansing is easily accessible from Detroit and Chicago. Interstate 96 directly connects Lansing and East Lansing to Detroit and Grand Rapids. US-127 to Interstate 94 connects Lansing and East Lansing to Chicago, Ann Arbor, and Detroit. Interstate 69 connects Lansing and East Lansing to Flint and Fort Wayne.

By bus
Capital Area Transportation Authority (CATA) provides local bus service.

 * Greyhound Lines service Lansing and East Lansing, with direct connections to Detroit, Grand Rapids, and Kalamazoo (with transfers to Chicago).
 * Owosso, Michigan-based Indian Trails Bus Lines provides daily service to Chicago.
 * Michigan Flyer Motorcoach service provides multiple daily connections to Detroit Metropolitan Airport with stops in Jackson and Ann Arbor.

By train
Amtrak provides one daily train service via the Blue Water Service, which connects to Flint and Port Huron to the east and Battle Creek, Kalamazoo, and Chicago to the west. There's also Amtrak Thruway Buses to the Wolverine line between Chicago and Detroit as well as the Capitol and Lake Shore Limited services via Toledo.

All trains depart from (+1 800-872-7245), located on 1240 S Harrison Rd next to the Michigan State University in East Lansing. CATA's route 20 provides service to the station for both departures and arrivals on weekdays, and for arrivals to East Lansing on Saturday. Connections to downtown Lansing are provided by route 1.

By plane
The airport is served by Capital Area Transit Authority (CATA) bus line 14, which provides direct service to downtown Lansing.

Detroit Metropolitan Airport, Flint Bishop International Airport, and Grand Rapids Gerald R. Ford International Airport are other nearby airports which serve the region.

By taxi
Taxi companies provide around the clock service to the Lansing-area. It is not necessary to call ahead for evening taxi service near downtown East Lansing, but riders should allow at least 30 minutes for taxi service to arrive elsewhere. This is especially true on weekends.

Get around
Lansing is served by a number of highways. Travel by car to any part of the city normally takes very little time. Traffic is generally light in the region. While there is some rush hour traffic, visitors driving in the region should not anticipate heavy congestion. The heaviest traffic is concentrated on the east and west sides of the city.

The Lansing-area is served by the Capital Area Transportation Authority (CATA) bus system. Visitors should find bus service to downtown Lansing, downtown East Lansing, and Michigan State University a convenient and affordable alternative to driving. Buses along the Michigan/Grand River Ave corridor (Route 1), which travel between downtown Lansing and East Lansing, run until 3AM on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, making it easy to avoid driving and parking fees. CATA recommends using the smartphone app Transit to plan trips, track buses in real time, and see up-to-date departure information.

Many companies provide taxi service throughout the area. Taxi service is heavily concentrated in the downtown East Lansing-area, especially during evenings and weekends. There is no need to call ahead for taxis in downtown East Lansing, as an available taxi can always be found on Albert Street behind downtown East Lansing. In downtown Lansing, taxi service is not as frequent. Taxi service usually arrives in under 30 minutes. Visitors should expect longer delays on the weekends and during Michigan State University football games. One option is LM Cab, +1 517-295-2334.

The City of Lansing provides an extensive river walk trail along the Red Cedar River and Grand River. Visitors will enjoy strolling along the Red Cedar as it meanders through the beautiful Michigan State University campus, through dense forest, past the City of Lansing's Potter Park Zoo, where the Red Cedar joins the Grand River (Michigan's largest river) and continues through downtown Lansing, Cooley Law School Stadium (formerly Oldsmobile Park), home of the Lansing Lugnuts minor league baseball team, the downtown Farmer's Market, and to the River Walk terminus near the historic Old Town on Lansing's north side.

The area offers many bike lanes, especially in East Lansing near the Michigan State University. Whether on foot or by bike, the area offers plenty of sidewalks, bike lanes, and trails to connect pedestrians to all the local attractions.

For visitors arriving or leaving, Lansing is well-connected to the major regional transportation hubs of Chicago and Detroit. The Capital Region International Airport, Amtrak, CATA, Greyhound Bus Lines, Indian Trails, and Michigan Flyer provide transportation services to and from Lansing. Freeways I-96, I-496, I-69, and US-127 provide fast and convenient connections throughout the Lansing area.

See
Lansing is the state capital of Michigan and the regional center of Mid-Michigan. The city's population is under 115,000 and the metropolitan is under 500,000. Do not expect the big city lights and action of a metropolitan of millions. But there are still many great things to do in and around Lansing. Yes, it snows in Michigan. So embrace the beauty of the seasons, and plan your activities accordingly.

Theaters

 * The Riverwalk Theater, the Lansing Civic Players, and the Boars Head Theater are all in downtown Lansing.
 * Peppermint Creek Theater Company: It is a relatively new and award winning theater group.
 * The Creole Gallery brings various musicians and hosts the Icarus Falling Theater Group.

Libraries

 * The Library of Michigan and historical Center is a well-regarded state library and research enter. The library is a top five genealogical research center in the United States.
 * The Capital Area District Library system has three branches in the City of Lansing: the Main Library downtown, the Foster Library on the east side, and the South Library on the south side of the city.
 * Michigan State University Libraries includes a large collection within the Main Library and smaller libraries outside the Main Library. These libraries include the Biomedical & Physical Sciences Library, the William C. Gast Library, the Law Library, the Dubai Library, the Engineering Library, the Gull Lake Library (at Kellogg Biological Station, approximately 65 miles to the southwest of the main campus), the Mathematics Library, and the Veterinary Medical Center Library.
 * The East Public Lansing Library is on Abbot Road just south of Saginaw.

Do

 * The Michigan Princess (Michigan's only triple decker riverboat offers stunning views of the Grand River in Lansing).
 * Over 100 community gardens/urban farms http://www.greaterlansingfoodbank.org/the-garden-project.html
 * Michigan State University (no shortage of things to do and see, especially Big 10 athletics).
 * MSU 4H Children's Gardens (great place to take children for the afternoon).
 * East Lansing Film Festival (largest film festival in Michigan).
 * East Lansing Arts Festival (one of the largest in Michigan).
 * Common Ground Festival (an event attracting approximately 100,000 to downtown Lansing).
 * Silver Bells (watch the decorating and lighting of the state tree during the holiday season. Around 80,000 come to watch).
 * The Riverwalk Theatreand The Lansing Civic Players (small theater productions in downtown Lansing).
 * The Greater Lansing Symphony Orchestra(17 free shows each year at the Wharton Center at MSU).
 * Wharton Center for the Performing Arts(one of the largest theaters in the state and nationally recognized. The center consists of two separate stages and attracts internationally recognized productions as well as lesser known acts).
 * MSU Auditorium, the Fairchild Theatre, and the Arena Theatre
 * The Hannah Community Center and the Albert White Performing Arts Theater
 * The Dart Auditorium of Lansing Community College
 * Impression 5 Science Center (Hands-on science museum for young children).
 * The Lansing Center (the City of Lansing's convocation center).
 * Lake Lansing (7 miles from downtown Lansing and even to downtown East Lansing, Lake Lansing offers beaches, sailing, and other summertime activities. In the winter, you can go ice fishing).
 * Lake Lansing (7 miles from downtown Lansing and even to downtown East Lansing, Lake Lansing offers beaches, sailing, and other summertime activities. In the winter, you can go ice fishing).

Learn

 * Michigan State University: Michigan State University (MSU) is a member of the Big Ten athletic conference, and is among the largest universities in the United States, with over 45,000 students. MSU is known for its academics and athletics. US News & World Report ranks MSU as a Tier 1 university. MSU is home to 3 medical schools, 1 law school, and the National Superconducting Cyclotron Laboratory (NSCL). The NSCL is the largest nuclear science facility on a university campus, and the nuclear physics graduate program is ranked 2nd to MIT. The campus park, the largest single university campus in the United States, is noted for its collegiate Gothic architecture and campus gardens. MSU is located in East Lansing.
 * The Thomas M. Cooley Law School located in downtown Lansing is among the nation's largest law schools. The MSU College of Law is located on the Michigan State University campus.
 * Lansing Community College, with an enrollment of over 20,000 students, is located in downtown Lansing.
 * Great Lakes Christian College is located in Delta Township, west of Lansing.
 * Davenport University, Central Michigan University, and Western Michigan University have satellite campuses in and around Lansing.

Buy
Greater Lansing offers a full array of shopping options, from malls to farmers markets. All the major shopping destinations are located within minutes of the city center.

Eat
The Lansing area lacks the dining options of the State's other major college town, Ann Arbor. But there are a number of excellent hidden gems. But no matter the appetite, the Lansing-area offers at least one gem for everyone. Michigan State University has a large number of South Korean students, and also many Korean dining options.

Lansing

 * Pablo's Old Town: Great Mexican food at reasonable prices. It is in the historic Old Town off Grand River on the north side of Lansing. The homemade chips and salsa are complimentary (as well as complementary). Check out the three varieties of tortas. The restaurant is popular with locals who know where to find a good meal. This is a hidden gem in one of the trendiest area of the city.
 * Troppo: Located in downtown Lansing, Troppo offers upscale alfresco dining looking down the street to the State Capitol building. The restaurant caters mainly to government-related employees in the downtown Lansing-area.
 * Altu's Ethiopian Cuisine: at 1312 East Michigan Ave, it offers great food in a traditional atmosphere. The restaurant is vegetarian and vegan friendly.
 * Kelly's Downtown Pub: On Washington, this Irish pub offers decent food and a lively atmosphere. A Lansing downtown fixture since 1985, with a fish and mac special on Friday and Saturday.
 * Mitchell's Fish Market: at 2975 Preyde Blvd. in Eastwood Towne Centre on the north end of town, Mitchell's is the best fish restaurant in town. The Sharkfin Pie dessert is huge and feeds several people. In the summer, enjoy alfresco and oysters on the half shell with your drink.
 * Bravo: An Italian restaurant in Eastwood Towne Center, across from Mitchell's Fish Market. It is an upscale chain, like Mitchell's Fish Market.
 * Fleetwood Diner: The diner is on the corner of Riley street and Cedar Street in Lansing. It looks like a train car. It has a great breakfast menu and is open 24 hours. The restaurant sports a large vegetarian menu.
 * Champps: at 2800 Preyde Blvd, it is an upscale sports bar. There is not a seat in the place where you cannot see one of the many large televisions. The food is better than most bars. It is often packed for Michigan State University basketball games.
 * Fleetwood Diner: The diner is on the corner of Riley street and Cedar Street in Lansing. It looks like a train car. It has a great breakfast menu and is open 24 hours. The restaurant sports a large vegetarian menu.
 * Champps: at 2800 Preyde Blvd, it is an upscale sports bar. There is not a seat in the place where you cannot see one of the many large televisions. The food is better than most bars. It is often packed for Michigan State University basketball games.

Okemos, Haslett, and Meridian Township

 * Dusty's Cellar: 1857 West Grand River in Okemos, it offers upscale dining just east of East Lansing. It has great food and an excellent wine list. A good place for a special occasion (birthday, Valentine's Day) dinner.
 * T & D's Coney Island: at 1735 W. Grand River in Okemos, - they offer items such as coneys, sandwiches, salads, fries, and Gyros.)
 * Buddies: at 1937 West Grand River in Okemos, it offers the best nachos in town. But be warned, the portion size is large.
 * Mark's Watershed: A good restaurant near the beach of Lake Lansing.
 * The Blue Gill Grill: near Lake Lansing near the park at the foot of Lake Lansing Road. Try the pan fried bluegill or walleye for a Michigan treat.
 * Cancun Grill: An inexpensive Mexican restaurant with festive decor, a full bar, and outdoor seating; it's across from the MSU Federal Credit Union on Central Park Drive.

Drink
Lansing is full of working class bars. But there are also bars catering to Cooley Law students and young professionals downtown and in Old Town.

 * Kelly's: in downtown Lansing on Washington, the bar is small and popular among Cooley Law students.
 * Nut House: Sports bar on Michigan Ave. opposite Cooley Law School Stadium, it is perfect for a day at the game.
 * The Exchange: A nightclub in downtown Lansing on Michigan Ave.
 * The Green Door: A local favorite outside downtown Lansing, in the Eastside neighborhood on East Michigan Ave at the intersection with Clemens Avenue (more or less directly across from Emil's). With live music most nights, it is popular with a wide age group from mid twenties and up.
 * Moriarty's Pub: Located on Michigan Ave. outside downtown. A local pub.
 * Dagwood's Tavern & Grill: at 2803 East Kalamazoo in Lansing. It is an institution in its own right. A cozy neighborhood sports bar with great burgers and lively open-mic sessions every Tuesday.
 * Dagwood's Tavern & Grill: at 2803 East Kalamazoo in Lansing. It is an institution in its own right. A cozy neighborhood sports bar with great burgers and lively open-mic sessions every Tuesday.

Go next
Lansing provides convenient access to all of Michigan's Lower Peninsula. Michigan is a wonderful state to explore in all seasons. In the summer, get out and kayak the many rivers, take a sailboat out on the thousands of lakes, or enjoy a day at the beach along the thousands of miles of sandy beaches along the Great Lakes. The fall is perfect for hiking through the woods and taking a camera to document the leaves as they change from vibrant green to golden yellow. Fall is also a time for enjoying Michigan's abundant crop of Michigan apples and Michigan sweet corn. Michigan is one of the country's largest wine growing regions. Get out and explore.

 * Detroit: Visit Michigan's first state capital! Only 1.5 hours away from Lansing is Michigan's largest city. The city is home to a metropolitan of combined statistical area of nearly 5.5 million people. Founded in 1701 as a French outpost, the city boats North America's tallest hotel, the busiest international crossing in the country, world-class museums, and all the major sports. Detroit is a gaming center, with three major casinos and one major casino across the river in Windsor, Canada. Visitors will enjoy the sights and tastes of Greek Town and Mexican Town, which have long been staples of the Detroit restaurant scene. The city is also home to many of the best examples of art deco architecture in the world. A visit to the Detroit-area would not be complete without checking out a number of the suburban cities. Dearborn is home to the world headquarters of Ford Motor Company and the Henry Ford Museum and Greenfield Village. The collection includes the chair in which President Lincoln was assassinated, the car in which President Kennedy was assassinated, a replica of Liberty Hall, Thomas Edison's last breath, Thomas Edison's childhood home, and the Wright Brothers bicycle shop.
 * Grand Rapids: The city is Michigan's second largest and located on the west side of the state, or as it is known locally, "the other West Coast." The city has not suffered as greatly from the decline of the auto industry as other Midwest cities, and has a modern class skyline. The city is home to the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum and Library. The city has an impressive art collection and located nearby is the Frederik Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park, which includes a replica of Leonardo Da Vinci's massive sculpture, Horse. The gardens receives over 600,000 visitors annually.
 * Ann Arbor: The city is Michigan's academic and cultural center. The city is home to the University of Michigan, many of the State's high-tech jobs, museums, and many fine restaurants. The high population density, lively downtown, and good public transportation system, make the city one of the best in Michigan. It is also close to Detroit, providing easy access to major events in downtown Detroit.
 * Traverse City: Traverse City is the largest city in upper Michigan. Situated on the Grand Traverse Bay, the setting is idyllic and popular tourist and vacation destination for people in the Chicago and Detroit-areas. The area is the largest cherry producing area in the world, and one of the largest wine-producing regions in the country. The area has also begun growing hops to provide the growing number of local breweries. The city is comparable to smaller version of Ann Arbor.
 * Mackinaw City: Mackinaw City is the northern most point of the Lower Peninsula and gateway to Michigan's rugged wilderness in the Upper Peninsula. To the west is Lake Michigan and to the east is lake Huron. In the middle are the Straits of Mackinaw. In the center is the Mackinaw Bridge, or Mighty Mac. The bridge is one of the largest in the country and links Michigan together by a thread of steel and concrete.
 * Mackinac Island: This small paradise is in Lake Huron, just offshore from Mackinaw City. The historic island is protected by a stone fort built by the British to control the trade routes of the Great Lakes. Historic homes, including the governor's mansion, dot this island. No motorized vehicles are allowed on the island, so tourists must get around by horse, on bike, or by foot. The island is noted for its beauty, fudge, and the Grand Hotel. The Grand Hotel, built in 1887, still maintains the record for the largest porch in the world.

title: Lansing


text:
Lanzarote

Lanzarote is one of the Canary Islands, in the Atlantic Ocean west of North Africa and  southwest of mainland Spain. With a population of 156,112 in 2022, it's the fourth largest of the Canary Islands, about half the size of its neighbour Fuerteventura. It has stark volcanic scenery and has been a biosphere reserve since 1993.

Towns

 * is the island's capital. It has the airport and seaport so everyone arrives here, but gets bussed straight to their resorts. Arrecife itself has a beach, an island fortress housing a history museum, and an art museum in the Castillo de San José.

 * was purpose-built as a resort in the 1970s.

 * is best known for its Sunday market. It's the former capital and has pleasant cobbled streets with traditional architecture.

 * is a small beach and surfing town on the north coast.

 * is the main settlement in the north, strikingly green in early summer. Sights include the house of César Manrique and several viewpoints, notably Mirador del Río near the north tip of the island.
 * is a beach village with surf suitable for novices and intermediates.

 * is mostly a purpose-built resort, dwarfing the original harbour village.

 * is just residential and light industry.

 * in the centre of the island has Manrique's gigantic Monument to the peasant at its crossroads, and a museum of local culture.

 * is at the north edge of Timanfaya National Park: access this via Mancha Blanca.

 * however is the main access point for the Park.

 * is a resort on the south coast of the island.

Other destinations

 * is the area that bore the full fury of the 1730s eruptions. Much of it is a lava plain; here and there are small volcanoes, with short hikes to the rim of their calderas. The only part that remains hot (very hot below the surface) is Islote de Hilario, where you transfer to a coach to be taken around.

Understand
"El día 1 de septiembre de 1730, entre las nueve y las diez de la noche, la tierra se abrió en Timanfaya, a dos leguas de Yaiza…"

- The village priest recorded the night the earth tore open, and hellfire rained out.

The Canary Islands are all volcanic. From 28 million years ago, submerged volcanoes grew, but as the seabed is deep it took another 12 million years before the first island of Fuerteventura broke the surface. A string of islands then emerged further north and 4 million years ago these coalesced to form Lanzarote, while sea erosion broke their link to Fuerteventura and La Graciosa. Volcanic activity continued but its focus shifted ever westward, throwing up the other Canary Islands, with Gomera and Hierro active to this day. Lanzarote became quiet, life slowly colonised it, and its surface weathered to a fine gravel suitable for small-scale agriculture. There was no reason to expect future eruptions, ever.

This island lies only from North Africa, and genetics, culture and carbon dating indicate settlement by Berbers around 1000 BC. The Phoenicians and Romans traded here, but Europe took no interest until 1312, when the Genoese navigator Lanceloto Malocello arrived. Mapmakers recorded "Insula de Lançarotus Marocelus" – hence Lanzarote – and it was his thereafter not the aboriginal inhabitants, as they were systematically carted off into slavery. In 1402 mercenaries acting for Castille captured the island, in 1404 it acquired a cathedral, and eventually, it was governed by mainland Portugal then Spain. Pirates of other nations repeatedly attacked and several defensive castillos were built, and still stand.

Because Lanzarote's volcanic peaks are low – seldom much above – they don't draw the rain as on the lusher islands, and agriculture struggles with an arid climate. Nevertheless, the south of the island was sufficiently fertile to grow grain, exported as a cash crop to Tenerife and Gran Canaria until 1730. Then the volcanoes' second disadvantage was made clear when a line of them erupted, and kept on erupting for six years. Their lava destroyed the most fertile farmland and a score of villages and farmsteads. Why, after so long? The Canaries are part of the Africa tectonic plate and it's believed that a hot plume bunsen-burns upon it, appearing to move west as Africa shifts east, but the re-activation is a puzzle. The people of 1730 knew about Trade Winds, the Gulf Stream and so on, but it took another 200 years to map the global weather systems and ocean gyres powering these phenomena. Similarly today we observe the surface effects of vulcanism and plate tectonics, but await a 21st century Humboldt to map the "deep earth weather" below the planet's crust.

The eruptions followed by drought prompted mass migration to the Americas, but the transatlantic trade was a lifeline, and tomatoes, potatoes, maize and prickly pears made their way east. (This last has a parasite, the cochineal insect source of carmine red dye, so there was briefly a lucrative trade in this until synthetic dyes replaced it.) Not much happened for another two centuries, and in 1936 the Canaries were so remote that a troublesome army officer was "promoted" here to keep him out of the way. But not remote enough, as his name was Franco and he teamed up with a like-minded colleague in Morocco to launch the Spanish Civil War. It was only towards the end of his regime in the 1970s that Spain modernised and promoted tourism on its mainland and islands, and wide-bodied jets put the Canaries within reach of chilly northern countries.

This was a mixed blessing and Lanzarote risked submerging beneath ticky-tacky concrete developments as so much of the Mediterranean coast has done. One who campaigned for sustainable low-rise development was local artist César Manrique (1919–1992). He also played a key role in having the island declared to be part of the UNESCO World Network of Biosphere Reserves in 1993.

Climate
The climate is pleasant year-round, with a daytime average in summer of and in winter. It seldom rains Oct-March, and never April-Sept. There is very little rainfall throughout the whole year.

Time zone
Lanzarote like the other Canary Islands is on the Western European Time (WET) time zone, so its time is the same as in Portugal, the UK and Ireland, but one hour behind mainland Spain.

Flora
Lanzarote doesn't have much native flora due to its arid climate which affects growth and pollination but it is now home to many different species of palm trees, aloe, agave and cacti. Many of these plants are alien invasive species which have somehow flourished. Historically, the main source of irrigation was trapping moisture in the mountains.

Both the Jardín de Cactus and Fundación César Manrique have a wide variety of plant life.

Euphorbia plants aren't technically cacti despite their appearance. They all produce a poisonous milky sap which irritates to the touch and was historically used as a laxative, so enjoy them from afar.

Fauna
The lack of rainfall also affects the ecosystem for the animals as well as the plants.

Talk
Lanzarote islanders speak Castilian, the majority form of Peninsular Spanish, with a distinct Canary Island accent and some vocabulary not found on the mainland.

Since Lanzarote's principal industry is tourism, there's a large service sector proficient in the languages of its visitors, who are mostly from the UK, Ireland and Germany. Menus for example are usually in Spanish, English and German. So you'll get by fine in English but, as elsewhere, your attempts to use the local language will be appreciated however badly mangled the result.

Spanish words specific to the Canary Islands

 * Charcones – means rock pool, which has been formed by erosion from Atlantic Ocean waves.
 * Chinijo – means boy, but usually refers to the Chinijo Archipelago of islets off the northern coast of Lanzarote, including the largest island La Grandiosa.
 * Guachinche – a small restaurant which is usually family-run and serves traditional Canarian cuisine.
 * Guagua (say wa-wa) – means bus, the Latin American word for a bus, which has somehow taken root here along with the prickly pears. It literally means a howling baby and may derive from the sound of the horn.
 * Jameo – a hollow or natural cave that is produced by the sinking of the ceiling of a volcanic lava tube.

By plane

 *  Arrecife Airport 5 km west of the city has budget flights from across Europe, domestic flights from mainland Spain, and inter-island flights.
 *  Arrecife Seaport is east edge of the city, with ferries from Cádiz (32 hr) and Huelva (27 hr) in Spain, and inter-island ferries from Tenerife (10 hr) and Gran Canaria (7 hr). There are no ferries from Morocco or Portugal, travel via Spain.

By ferry

 * Playa Blanca has ferries from Corralejo on Fuerteventura, 30 min.
 *  Órzola has ferries from La Graciosa, 30 min.

By bus
Bus routes radiate from Arrecife and in 2023 a ride costs at most €3.60. Drivers accept cash and give change up to €10. There's no public bus through the National Park so join a tour or organise your own wheels.

Look at the Bus routes Arrecife Bus website for information on the bus routes.

By car
Car hire is available at the airport, seaport and main resorts. Roads are in good condition and well-signposted, and it only takes 40 minutes to span the entire island from north to south.

By taxi
Taxis are plentiful and drivers are friendly and honest. There are fixed prices for common routes, otherwise meters are used. There is no Uber online booking service, but you can hail any cab that has its green roof light on.

By bicycle
Cyclists may use almost all asphalted roads, except for a few sections of LZ-1 and LZ-2 that have frontage roads or historic loops. Mountain bikes may not leave the marked trails, to protect the vegetation.

By hitchhiking
Hitchhiking is seldom difficult.

See

 * Lava tunnels and caves are created by the fluid lava characteristic of "hot spot" volcanoes. The flow acquires a hard sheath, which insulates it and keeps it liquid; after the eruption, the lava empties out but the tunnels persist. (Plate subduction volcanoes such as Vesuvius have viscous lava, so their plumbing repeatedly blocks, to be torn apart by explosions.) Notable examples in Timanfaya National Park are Cueva de Las Palomas / Los Naturistas a 500 m long tube, two near Pico Partido and one near Montaña Cardona. Cueva de los Verdes is a show-cave north of Arrieta. At Tahiche Cesar Manrique converted a tunnel into his house and studio.
 * Camels wait to be photographed and ridden near the Yaiza park entrance.
 * Castillo de San José is a fortress in Arrecife housing a Museum of Contemporary Art.

Centres of Art, Culture and Tourism (CACT)
Centres of Art, Culture and Tourism (CACT) manage several sites and offer combi-tickets. You may struggle to break even on the combi: the top attraction Timanfaya is better visited by bus tour, which includes the entrance fee, as the bus skips line while cars queue for over an hour to get in. The others are Mirador del Rio a scenic lookout, Jardín de Cactus, Castillo de San José an art museum, Cueva de los Verdes lava tunnel, Jameos del Agua water park, and Casa Museo del Campesino an ethnographic museum which is free. In 2023 the combi for 3 centres costs €21, 4 centres €28, or 6 centres for €32.
 *  Timanfaya National Park is named for the first village to be destroyed when the eruptions began in 1730. There are over 100 volcanoes, and you transfer to a bus to be taken around the two main cones. These badlands cover a quarter of the island's surface and are usually accessed from Yaiza in the southwest, alternatively from Mancha Blanca in the northeast.
 * Jardín de Cactus is an attractive display in Guatiza off LZ-1 midway between Tahiche and Arrieta.
 * Mirador del Rio is a lookout point designed by Manrique on the mountains in the north of the island: access it via Haría. This one charges, but there are several other equally impressive views free to access above the cliffs on the northwest coast.

César Manrique
César Manrique (1919-92) is the Lanzarote artist whose style is stamped on many sights. That includes those above plus his houses and studios at Tahiche and Haría, Lagomar mansion near Teguise, and public sculpture wherever you look.
 * Fundación César Manrique is his home within volcanic chambers, and gallery of his art collection. It's in Tahiche north of Costa Teguise.
 * Palm Grove House is his other home and studio in Haría.
 * Lagomar, also designed by Manrique, is in Teguise. It was briefly owned by Omar Sharif but he promptly lost it at cards.

Scuba diving
Scuba diving is year-round, with water temperatures always close to and a visibility of  or more.

The three principal resorts all have dive centres offering training, kit hire and guided dives. A 7 mm wetsuit is recommended, the instructors who are continually in the water use drysuits. Diving is shore-based, and as the island is small, dive groups from one resort routinely travel to the others to get the best conditions.

Snorkeling
Snorkeling is anywhere along the sheltered southeast-facing coast where you can find safe beach access – and exit, bearing in mind that Lanzarote has a tidal range.

Surfing
There are many surf schools for surfing. Popular spots are Famara and La Santa on the west coast, and Arrieta on the east which has an interesting break.

Beaches and natural pools
Sandy beaches are found at the three main resorts of Costa Teguise, Puerto del Carmen and Playa Blanca, all on the sheltered southeast-facing coast. The northwest coast is exposed to the Atlantic so it has the wildest surf: Famara and El Golfo are small settlements on this side.

 * Charcones are natural swimming pools, and the best are near Playa Blanca.
 * Cueva del Agua near Arrieta in the north is a part-submerged lava tunnel leading into the open sea.

Hiking
For hiking you must wear tough boots, use sun protection, and carry plenty of water. Popular trails include:
 * Camino Risco Famara is from Famara village north beneath the cliffs.
 * Monte Corona an extinct volcano in the north, reached from the village of Yé.
 * Caldera Blanca, Pico Partido and Montaña del Cuervo are easy trails within Timanfaya National Park.
 * Ruta de Tremesana is a guided hike from Yaiza, through parts of the National Park that are otherwise off-limits.

Local cuisine
Local cuisine is typical of the Canary Islands.

Traditional
Traditional for many visitors means what they ate back home, so lots of places serve it: pizza, Chinese, Indian, and fish & chips.

 * Vegetarian and vegan choices are easy to find in the main resorts.

Tap water
The tap water is safe to drink.

Like many arid islands, Lanzarote has no natural springs or lakes so it's desalinated sea water. When it's cold from the tap it will slake a thirst, but once it gets warm in your tumbler it's flat and dull.

Bottled water
To accompany meals, go for bottled water (agua mineral) which is not expensive. Most restaurants sell still (sin gas) and carbonated (con gas) bottled water.

Standalone bars
Standalone bars are found in all the beach resorts. Cafes elsewhere sell alcohol.

Vineyards
Vineyards are mostly in the area from San Bartolomé to Yaiza, with La Geria at its centre. This was spared by the eruptions of the 1730s and the older volcanic soil can be cultivated, with distinctive little half-moon walls to protect the vines and trap moisture. Conditions suit the Malvasia grape, as in Sicily.

Buy

 * Money: See Canary Islands for info on cash, ATMs and credit cards. All the towns have ATMs, and most merchants take card payments.
 * Supermarkets: Lidl and HiperDino are the largest and usually offer the best value. Many of them sell bars of turrón which is Spanish honey nougat.
 * Fruits and vegetables are inexpensive if they are grown locally in the Canary Islands, such as papaya, bananas and avocado. But much has to be shipped from the mainland, and the prices reflect that.
 * Markets are held in most towns, often on Sunday mornings, see individual pages for details. Best known is Teguise market – extra buses run on Sunday from Arrecife, Puerto del Carmen and Costa Teguise.
 * Markets are held in most towns, often on Sunday mornings, see individual pages for details. Best known is Teguise market – extra buses run on Sunday from Arrecife, Puerto del Carmen and Costa Teguise.

Sleep
Hotels and self-catering accommodation are concentrated in the three resorts of Puerto del Carmen, Playa Blanca and Costa Teguise. Prices quoted on these pages are those advertised for individual travellers, but many of the clientele are on package deals, in effect paying the same room rate while getting their return flight from Europe for free. The package holiday companies quality-assure their accommodation far more rigorously than any state-backed tourist agency could do, and these packages are an attractive deal even to the most independent-minded travellers, since from a clean comfortable base every attraction on the island is within a short journey.

Because these resorts were purpose-built, they lack guesthouses and hostels – look for these in the inland towns, especially Arrecife. Surf shacks often have basic accommodation for their visitors.

Papagayo Beach near Playa Blanca has a campsite but these are otherwise rare. Wild camping is not allowed at beaches or national park, but you are permitted to park overnight in camper vans or cars.

Connect
For mobile devices, Lanzarote has:
 * 5G from MasMovil, Movistar and Orange
 * 4G from Vodafone and Telefónica (known in the United Kingdom as O2).

Most carriers will charge roaming rates in line with the rest of Spain.

Stay safe
Standard advice applies to road safety, water safety, and care of valuables. Theft from cars in the National Park has been a recurrent problem.

112 is the emergency number for all services, as in the rest of Europe.

Stay healthy
Always use sun protection, even on the rare cloudy days. By the time you feel frazzled, the damage is done. Most supermarkets and convenience stores should sell sunscreen and aftersun (if you need it).

When in hot weather, staying hydrated is crucial and it is recommended to drink 1–1.5 litres of water a day at a minimum.

Though it remains much quieter than party meccas like Ibiza and Mallorca, Lanzarote attracts its fair share of party animals, so be careful around drunk tourists.

Go next

 * Fuerteventura is a larger island reached by ferry from Playa Blanca, taking 30 min.
 * is the only inhabited island of the Chinijo Archipelago north of Lanzarote, with a 30 min ferry ride from Órzola to its town Caleta del Sebo. You have to come back the same way. It's considered a "canary island" in its own right, not a subsidiary of Lanzarote. The other island in this group is Alegranza, and there are four islets.
 * The other Canary Islands are much longer ferry crossings, 6 hours or more, but there are daily flights from Arrecife.

title: Lanzarote


text:
Lanzhou

Lanzhou (兰州; Lánzhōu) is the capital of Gansu province of China.

Understand
Lanzhou is an industrial city of about three million people. It is located on the shores of the Yellow River and was a major stop on the Silk Road; in those days, it was known as the Golden City. From the 5th to the 11th century the city was a major seat of Buddhist learning, and it acquired its present name during the Qing Dynasty in 1656. Until the 19th century, Lanzhou was the primary point for crossing the Yellow River via a bridge made by chaining a flotilla of boats together with a road on top to cross on.

Lanzhou used to be one of the most polluted cities in China but the situation has improved.

By plane

A single line shuttle bus (¥30 per person) makes the trip to city in a bit more than one hour, and finally stops at the crossroads of TianShui South Road / DongGan West Road (天水南路、东岗西路).

A dedicated commuter train line connects the Lanzhou Zhongchuan Airport and the Lanzhou Railway Station, with an intermediate stop at Lanzhou West Station. (Some trains from the airport terminate at Lanzhou West). The travel time from the airport to Lanzhou Railway Station is 50-55 min; as of 2015, there is approximately one train per hour in each direction. (Current schedule, in Chinese).

By train
All long-distance trains nowadays use, a huge modern building that from the street looks like a gigantic Walmart. From here, high-speed trains rush to Xining (1 h 15 min), Jiayuguan (4 h 30 min), Urumqi (12 h), Xian (4 h), Wuhan and Beijing.

Conventional trains still use the old Lanzhou Railway Station (Lanzhou Huoche Zhan) at the south end of Pingliang Lu at Tianshui Lu. This is also served by a few high-speed trains, and by the airport train.

By bus
The East Long-Distance Bus Station is on Pingliang Lu. Destinations include Dunhuang (24 hours), Guyuan (8), Jiayuguan (17), Pingliang (5), Tianshui (4), Urumqi (38), Xi'an (15), Yinchuan (12) and Zhangye (12).

The West Long-Distance Bus Station is on Xijin Xilu. Destinations include Linxia (3 hours), Liujiaxia (2), Xining (5) and Hezuo (5).

The South Long-Distance Bus Station serves Xiahe (6 hours).

Get around
The Metro runs east–west across the city, linking downtown with West Railway Station.

The #1 Bus is really useful getting around Lanzhou. It travels from Lanzhou Station to the Lanzhou Hotel, Qingyang Lu, Xihu Gongyuian Park, Qiliheqiao and ending at Lanzhou West Station. It also connects the train station to the starting point of the shuttle bus to the airport, here.

There's a city bike scheme, with pick-up / drop-off stations dotted around.

See

 * White Cloud Temple (Baiyun Taoist Temple) is on the south river bank, Nanbinhe East Road, one block west of Zhongshan Bridge. It's much less touristy, a peaceful little compound, so the wear-and-tear on the buildings feels venerable rather than run-down. Free.
 * Qiaomen Mosque (Bridge Gate Mosque, 桥门清真寺) is just south of the bridge.
 * Xiguan Mosque is on Cuiyingmen, one block south of the Taoist Temple. Anywhere else, this would be a hard-hat zone, as (in 2018) the mosque compound is being rebuilt. But if you pick your way past blocks of cladding and piles of sand and trailing pipes and cables, the mosque itself remains open. It's quite a simple modern design.
 * White Cloud Temple (Baiyun Taoist Temple) is on the south river bank, Nanbinhe East Road, one block west of Zhongshan Bridge. It's much less touristy, a peaceful little compound, so the wear-and-tear on the buildings feels venerable rather than run-down. Free.
 * Qiaomen Mosque (Bridge Gate Mosque, 桥门清真寺) is just south of the bridge.
 * Xiguan Mosque is on Cuiyingmen, one block south of the Taoist Temple. Anywhere else, this would be a hard-hat zone, as (in 2018) the mosque compound is being rebuilt. But if you pick your way past blocks of cladding and piles of sand and trailing pipes and cables, the mosque itself remains open. It's quite a simple modern design.
 * Qiaomen Mosque (Bridge Gate Mosque, 桥门清真寺) is just south of the bridge.
 * Xiguan Mosque is on Cuiyingmen, one block south of the Taoist Temple. Anywhere else, this would be a hard-hat zone, as (in 2018) the mosque compound is being rebuilt. But if you pick your way past blocks of cladding and piles of sand and trailing pipes and cables, the mosque itself remains open. It's quite a simple modern design.

Do

 * Walk across the Zhongshan Bridge for the night lights, people and the immense Yellow river.

Eat
Lanzhou is famous for its beef noodle soup (Lanzhou niurou lamian). The noodles are always hand made, and the broth served hot and spicy with as much beef as you care to pay for. They are a specialty of the Muslim Hui ethnic group, and hence are a good option for those looking for halal food.
 * Zheng Ning Road Night Market A street with plenty of food stalls in the evening. Seems it has replaced the old Hezheng Lu Night Market. The street is located between Qingyang Lu and Gannan Lu, about one km south from the big pedestrian street.
 * Zheng Ning Road Night Market A street with plenty of food stalls in the evening. Seems it has replaced the old Hezheng Lu Night Market. The street is located between Qingyang Lu and Gannan Lu, about one km south from the big pedestrian street.

Other options:

Drink

 * Huanghe Beer
 * Wuquanshan Beer

Budget
As located in buildings, with almost no signs or Chinese signs, hostels in Lanzhou are a little bit tricky to find.

Dorm price : ¥40 to ¥50.
 * Lanzhou Dream Forest Hostel, very nice inside decoration but since 2017 they can no longer accept foreigners, unfortunately. So contact them to make sure you are allowed to stay or not, before you go because the location is away from city center.
 * Lanzhou Ferry Hostel Opened in 2017, this small hostel run by a super friendly young guy named Whale, who speaks good English. The location is great : quite central but in a small quiet street, so no noisy. However the place is a bit hard to find. You can check the location on OsmAnd or Mapy.cz, or booking.com where pictures helps to locate the entrance. Go to the end of the dead-end street, where you wouldn't believe it is here, go left when you cannot move forward, you are now in a small square surrounded by crapy-looking buildings. It is number 36, big metal door, ring on #103. But best is to contact Whale (+8617794268283) to explain or pick you up.

Many of the cheap hotels on near the train station on Tianshui road (天水南路) do not accept foreigners, but some do, look around. Here's a couple to get you started.

Cope
The Visa Extension Service is located in a big administrative building on the southwestern corner of Qingyang Lu & Jiuquan Lu, on the 4th Floor, easy to find, follow the VISA signs. You can search for "Min'an Mansion" on Google Maps to locate the building. Opened from 9:00 to 17:00. Friendly English-speaking staff. No need for photos & passport copies, they will take a digital photo. You just need a proof of lodging. Takes 3-4 working days.

Connect

 * Almost all hotel rooms have free internet in the form of an Ethernet cable. Sometimes the cable is sticking out of the wall. Sometimes you will find it in the drawer or the cupboard - plug in.
 * Although wireless networks are not common (ethernet based connections are much more common) there are a great many unsecured wireless networks in the city. For the most part downloads are unlimited for subscribers - so don't feel too bad if you help yourself.
 * You can also buy 3G internet USB modems from the major telcos. Expect Chinese language software simple enough for the English speaking to use.
 * Internet cafes exist thanks to online gaming. They are not particularly cheap, staff have extremely poor English and all applications will be in Chinese. Recommend plugging in your USB stick with Portable English applications on it: http://portableapps.com/
 * If all else fails, keep Skype open. Skype have done deals with many ISPs. And you can use Skype to make a wireless Internet connection. See this article for more detail: http://www.skype.com/intl/en-us/features/allfeatures/skype-access/

Go next

 * Linxia - center for the Hui (Muslim Chinese) and Dongxiang (Muslim Mongol) minorities. Numerous mosques and Islamic mausolea (gongbei), colorful markets and relaxing teahouses
 * Sichuan Back Entrance Route - south via Xiahe, Hezuo and on past Langmusi into Sichuan province
 * Bingling Temple

title: Lanzhou


text:
Laoag

Laoag is a city and the provincial capital of Ilocos Norte. It is the province's political, commercial, and industrial hub. The historic scenic tourist spots makes Laoag an ecotourism center.

History
Laoag's history stretches back to pre-colonial times. It has been a trading post between the local Austronesian population and the Chinese and Japanese. Laoag was then called Samtoy, from the Ilocano for "this is our language".

The Spaniards came in the 16th century, when Miguel López de Legazpi's son, Juan de Salcedo, ordered the invasion of the northwestern coastline of Luzon, from Vigan toward the present location of Laoag. Colonization began when Spanish friars seized lands for churches, where their belfries also doubled as garrisons through a Spanish royal edict. Due to the law, as well as the abusive treatment of the Ilocanos by the Augustinian friars, locals started numerous rebellions, most notably the Silang rebellions of 1762—63. The first of those rebellions was led by Diego Silang, who led victories against the Spanish colonial authorities in 1762, then in war with the British during the Seven Years' War. Silang was assassinated by his close friend who was hired by the Spanish, where his wife, Gabriela Silang, continued the rebellion until she was captured and hanged.

In 1965, Laoag gained cityhood through a plebiscite, and has remained the capital of Ilocos Norte since then.

Climate
Laoag has a tropical dry and wet climate, being dry from November to April and wet from May to October. Daytime highs average at and nighttime lows at. There is barely any rainfall during the drier months, but it rains almost every day in the rainy season.

Nights are mildly cool during the dry season, where the nightime low temperatures range from, and it almost never rains. Despite its northerly location in mainland Luzon, Laoag is shielded from the cool northeastern monsoon (amihan) by the Central Cordillera and does not suffer extreme nighttime temperatures, unlike Tuguegarao to the east.

The rainy season begins in May and lasts through September. May is a transition from dry and hot conditions to wet and rainy days, so, rainy periods, typically from thunderstorms, are unpredictable through the middle of the month as the southwest monsoon (abagat) advances through the Philippines towards East Asia. Rainfall slowly increases, peaking in August, and suddenly decreases by September. An average of five typhoons pass through Laoag, especially during the last months of the monsoon season.

By bus
Despite having a central government-owned terminal to the west of downtown, buses to Laoag continue to use their dedicated terminals anywhere within the city.

Get around

 * Calesa - Horse-drawn carriage
 * Jeepney
 * Tricycle
 * Rent-a-car

Eat

Go next

 * Vigan
 * Pagudpud
 * Tuguegarao

title: Laoag


text:
Lao Cai

Lao Cai is a town in northern Vietnam. It is on the border with China, separated from the Chinese town of Hekou by the Nanxi and Red Rivers.

From China
Buses run from Kunming and other cities in Yunnan (China) to Hekou from where it is a short walk over the border to Lao Cai.

There are also trains from Kunming to the new (standard-gauge) Hekou North Train Station. The station is several km away from the border crossing, but buses meet each train and take passengers to the border crossing area and other locations around town.

The border is open 08:00-23:00 Chinese time (07:00-22:00 Vietnamese time).

There is no passenger railway service on the metre-gauge bridge across the border river, even though physically the narrow-gauge tracks connect to the new Hekou North station on the Chinese side. Goods trains still cross the bridge and watching them pass the border gates is an interesting and photogenic pastime.

Get around
Taxis are abundant and have no issues with using their meters, making getting around cheap and easy. Walking is a practical option, although the town is quite spread out.

See
Cốc Lếu A and B Markets Cheap (very cheap if you are good at bargaining) Chinese goods are on sale and the range of products makes it an interesting diversion.

Chinese Border Gate There are several places along the river border where you can gaze into China if you don't have a visa. It's all very relaxed and no-one seems to mind you taking photographs

Buy
There are a couple of ATMs in Lao Cai. The Techcom Bank has ATMs on the square of the train station as well as close to the border. However, they accept only some international cards. There is one ATM accepting all international cards, but it's neither close to the border nor to the railway station. Motorbike drivers usually know it and will drive you there (one-way 10,000 dong).

As soon as you leave the immigration building you will be approached by money changers. They usually offer poorer exchange rates than the bank. There are two banks just next to the border and a third one just at the other end of the first bridge, though these are all annoyingly closed at weekends. Banks in Hanoi will also readily exchange your RMB for dong.

Internet
You can get free Wi-Fi near the bus/train station at the Fansipang Restaurant and Le Bordeaux Restaurant. Both are visible from the station.

Go next
Lao Cai has a public bus station and a train station. Together they constitute the centre of town. While the train station can be found next to the main road, the bus station is around 300 m southwest of it, down Phan Đình Phùng. Additionally, minibuses are abundant (destinations usually indicated on the windshield), which will drive around town until full and can be flagged down. Prices are fixed, but conductors usually try their luck and ask for more, including mock tickets with fake prices.

Hanoi
Trains run from the train station in Lao Cai to Hanoi (8 hr) with an overnight sleeper option. This will put you in Hanoi rather early in the morning with your only company being a million motorcycle and taxi touts. So its generally a good idea to have a plan as to where you will be heading on arrival. Prices for a soft sleeper ticket are around 300,000 dong, lower classes are cheaper. Check seat61.com for up-to-date information on prices. Livitrans Train Company

There is a bus service to Hanoi costing 89,000 dong. The night bus to Hanoi costs about 150,000 dong. Very uncomfortable with loud music and no leg space. Train is much better option, but often needs to be booked in advance.

Sapa
Minibuses run from outside the Chinese Hekou border immigration exit, and train station straight up the mountain. Cost should be 40,000 dong per person and the bus leaves only when it is full. If arriving from Hanoi by train, you can arrange for a minibus while buying railway tickets with Vietnam Railways for 55,000 dong per person. There does not seem to be a bus from the public bus station to Sapa.

If arriving via the Chinese Hekou border, watch out for touts who will persistently attempt to get you to pay up to 150,000 dong, or RMB20 (approximately 50,000 dong) per person to get to Sapa. Just ignore them and walk to a main street and flag a minibus with a sign showing Sapa at the windscreen. Confirm with the driver or bus attendant 25,000 dong and hop into the minibus to Sapa.

If arriving by train (usually around 05:30) watch out for minibus scams asking at least 200,000; generally they can be bargained down.

Bac Ha
Bac Ha, and its Sunday market, can be reached via public bus in around two hours for 70,000 dong.

Ha Giang
Ha Giang is a really tourist attraction for anyone who love to explore nature and people. Amazing scenery: Conquering Ma Pi Leng Pass, Dong Van Karst Plateau Geo Park.

Yunnan Province, China
About 40-min walk from bus/train station (or a 5-minute ride) is the border crossing to Hekou (河口) in China. Border office is a big building next to a bridge, opposite Sapaly Hotel/Biti's trade centre. Crossing the border is simple, fill out a customs card and wait in line. Be prepared for a long wait, particularly on the Chinese side. They will search your belongings (in particular your books/written material). Outside the Hekou border crossing is a variety of shops, and the bus terminal is about a ten-minute ride from the border. The ride is about 7 hours. From Hekou North Railway stations (a few kilometers away from the border crossing; local bus service available), train service to Kunming is available as well. From here you can catch an onward bus through to Kunming for around RMB120.

title: Lao Cai


text:
Laon

Laon is a city in the Aisne département of Hauts-de-France, in northern France.

Get in
By car, take interchange number 13 on the A26 motorway (from Calais to Reims)

There are regular train services from Paris, leaving from Gare du Nord. As of July 2012, prices from Paris to Laon average about €23 one way (second class). The way to Laon from Paris is covered in 1½ hours. There are also regular trains from Reims, or Amiens. The train station in Laon is in the new town, at the foot of the medieval city which is on top of a hill.

Get around
Walking from the new town to the medieval part of the city is certainly doable, but only if you're fit and don't have heavy luggage with you—the 300 ft climb is a steep one. The line N of the local bus service goes from the railway station to the medieval city every 20 minutes from Monday to Saturday. If you're driving, park in the new town, as there is very little parking available in the medieval Haute Ville.

See
The fine early Gothic Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Laon is one of the finest in France, with openwork towers and a four-storey nave elevation. Its architecture influenced many other medieval European cathedrals, including that of Notre Dame in Paris. The interior is extremely light and spacious. The west towers feature an octagonal top storey with square turrets at the angles on top of the square bottom storey. They are decorated with the figures of 16 oxen, said to commemorate a miraculous ox that appeared to pull a cartload of stone to the hilltop site.

Nearby stand the Hotel Dieu (medieval hospital and almshouse), the cathedral chapter, and the town's museum. The museum in particular has a fine collection of classical antiquities, and the striking 'transi' tomb (showing the effigy of a decaying corpse) of 14th-century clergyman and royal physician Guillaume de Harcigny.
 * chapel

At the other end of the medieval town, the remains of the abbey of Saint-Martin-de-Laon include its church and some of its associated buildings, including the cloister garden (now the city library's courtyard) and some of the chapter house.

It's worthwhile taking a walk around the old town, admiring the houses—almost all built between the 12th and the late 18th centuries—and the spectacular view from the town walls out across the Picard plain or hills.

Do
Climb the cathedral tower. The tourist office (very warm welcome), in a twelfth century building next to the cathedral, arranges tours, and it is best to reserve your tickets before time as numbers are limited.

Visit the underground (see in tourist office)

Walk in the medieval city, marvellous.

Buy
Pave de Laon sweet pastilles.

A famous local cheese: Le Maroilles. Strong and tasty.

Eat
Les Arcades (place du Général Leclerc) is centrally located and good for people watching, but over-priced and the food isn't great. The service was also pretty indifferent.

Brasserie Le Parvis's (3 Place du Parvis Gaultier de Mortagne) main selling point is its location—sitting outside, you can have your meal while looking up at the cathedral. The service is better here but still a little distracted.

Drink
Brasserie Le Parvis (outdoor)

Also close to the cathedral in a pedestrian plaza called "Marché aux herbes": Créperie Agora (outdoor)

Sleep
Hotel-Restaurant de la Banniere de France is just behind the Hotel de Ville in the historic centre of the city. Old and cosy hotel, appreciated by English travellers

The Hotel des Chevaliers, on the rue des Seruriers just beside the Hotel de Ville (town hall) is good for the budget traveller. The upstairs rooms have been tastefully renovated; the rooms on the first floor are in a little bit of a 1970s time warp but all are comfortable and spotlessly clean. The owner is very friendly, lots of good suggestions for places to go.

A cosy B&B: La Maison des 3 Rois Chambres d'hôtes, 17 rue St Martin, near the historic centre

Modern hotels also, but not in historic city: Campanile, Ibis, Ibis Budget, Hotel Saint Vincent, Première classe, Fasthotel. You need a car.

Go next
Little beautiful villages, around south of Laon: Bruyeres, Nouvion le Vineux, Presles, Urcel (old churches), or Bourgignon (village of the LeNain brothers, both painters)

title: Laon