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A day trip to Ba Na Hills is like visiting the Vietnamese Disneyland, replete with fun and games, cute castles with their mock turrets reaching for the sky, perfectly manicured gardens, shows and performances, unlimited food stalls, ice cream kiosks....add to this heady mix the astounding scenic views of the lush green jungle of the Truong Son Mountains where the theme park is located. Your adventure begins right at the foot of the mountain when you embark on a 20-minute nonstop cable car ride, the scenery shifts from cityscape to the gradually unfolding beauty of the mountainside as you approach the top, and then into the theme park by Sun World! Before I go into more details about things to do inside the park, let's take a quick look all the way to the top ... About Ba Na Hills Ba Na Hills was a colonial hill station established by the French in 1919 as an escape retreat from the hot Vietnamese weather. Little wonder then that the resort has a very European feel to it! The French Village, with its quaint little passageways, seemed to have dropped straight out of a European countryside. The Le Jardin D'Amour Gardens, with its colourful array of flowers, is a sight to behold. And, of course, the iconic Golden Bridge, the architectural marvel, with its 'Hands of God', the two gigantic hands that seem to be holding the bridge in place, is the top-most attraction on your trip to Ba Na Hills. Golden Bridge is touted as Vietnam's symbol of its increasing popularity in the arena of global tourism. My first-hand tips to you before you visit Ba Na Hills Check the weather for the day. If you've seen the video above, you'll see how foggy it was the day we visited Ba Na Hills, making visibility very bad at most places on the mountain resort. We had checked the weather forecast for the day before booking our tickets to beat the crowds, but clouds gathering on the hillside is quite common. This brings me to my second tip. See the Golden Bridge first thing on your visit. It was quite cloudy when we reached the top. Luckily, we decided to see the Golden Bridge and take some pictures, because the visibility after the morning worsened. We came across some disappointed visitors who had postponed seeing the bridge for later. The visibility didn't get any better, and the crowds that hit the bridge as the day progressed were unbelievable. If you're not short of time, then you should plan to stay overnight. Overnight guests at the Mercure Danang French Village Bana Hills Hotel get to see the Golden Bridge before regular opening time at 6 am. If an overnight stay is not an option, then plan to start early. Massive crowds throng the resort, not only on weekends but perennially. You can significantly reduce waiting times if you arrive early. Tickets can be purchased both online and from the Official Website of Sunworld Ba Na Hills . Online portals like Klook and Viator also offer tickets. We visited in April 2025. The standard entrance ticket for an adult costs 950,000 VND (approximately USD 37.00), and for a child, it costs 750,000 VND (approximately USD 31.00). This price includes the cable car ride, access to main attractions like the Golden Bridge, Fantasy Park and French Village. The only exclusion is the Wax Museum and any games with prizes to be won. A lot of ticket combinations are available, if you wish to include a buffet lunch, too. Please check the website for your preference. It takes about 40 minutes to an hour to reach Ba Na Hills by road from Da Nang. The road is scenic, and you will start getting a whiff of the mountain air as you get closer to the cable car station. Once you reach the main station, a shuttle bus, which is included in the fare, will take you to the point of boarding the cable cars. The infrastructure around the hill resort is world-class; there is a variety of eateries offering all kinds of cuisines and fitting every pocket. Toilets are free to use, and most of the facilities are wheelchair-friendly. A variety of shows, performances and festivals are organised in the mountain resort. If you're interested in something in particular, then please check the website to plan your trip accordingly. At the time of our visit, the Sun Kraftbeer Festival 2025 was going on. To sum up, I'd say Ba Na Hills is a must-do activity on your Vietnam itinerary. It's wholesome entertainment for the entire family at a very reasonable price with world-class infrastructure and excellent amenities.

Japan has been on my travel list for as long as I can remember. So, a visit to this land in the Far East was a long-cherished dream come true! We spent 15 days travelling the length of the country to make the most of the limited time available to us. This blog will provide you with the 15 most important first-hand tips to help you plan the perfect Japan itinerary, and if you're planning to visit Japan now or in the near future, these tips are just what you might need! #Tip 1 First and foremost...Is Japan expensive? This is a common question to crop up whenever there is talk of a vacation to Japan. So, let's put things in perspective! A vacation to Japan is cheaper than to most European countries, but more expensive than to Asian countries such as Vietnam or Thailand, for instance. Japan can definitely not be the first go-to choice of a budget traveller. A week-long vacation to Japan could cost you anywhere from USD 2000 to 2500, including airfare. If we were to break up the cost, accommodation would be the highest expense since hotels in all touristy cities like Kyoto and Tokyo are expensive. Airbnb options are limited and not value-for-money like in Europe. Second in terms of cost would be the JR Pass that entitles you to travel on the Shinkansen (Bullet train) within Japan. Eating out and fine dining can be expensive. If you wish to cut down on costs, then street food is a very viable option in Japan, safe and hygienic. There are plenty of family supermarts like Seven-Eleven and Lawson where one can get good quality food at reasonable prices. Watching live shows is quite expensive. #Tip 2 Enjoy the luxury of free Japanese toilets wherever you go Japan can easily be rated as the country with the most efficient toilet system in the world! You will find toilets in the most unlikely of places, in remote towns and shrines. And they are totally free! And don't get me started on the Japanese bidet toilet seat, which is a tech gizmo! Motion-activated sensors, sound-creating machines that you can set to 'privacy mode' and so on. The good part is that although everything is written in Japanese, there are illustrations. Haha! So, take your time on your first outing to figure out all of them, and you won't have to worry about it on your entire trip! #Tip 3 Plan your Japan trip well in advance Japan has been the hottest tourist destination for the past many years now, which obviously translates into massive crowds. If you want to stay ahead of these crowds, then the only way is to plan well ahead. Also, the country is truly multifaceted; shrines, temples, monuments, natural beauty, river cruises, bustling cities loaded with malls and shopping arenas, street food outlets, restaurants, live shows, high-tech anime areas, and more. It's a good idea to plan your trip so that you can pick and choose what you really wish to see and do. There are a lot of things that we added to our itinerary at the last minute, and we were grateful for having done that. A day trip to Nara from Kyoto was one of them. Nara has 8 UNESCO World Heritage Sites. We could only do two: Todai-ji Temple and Kasuga Taisha. Missing seeing the majestic bronze Buddha statue, the tallest bronze statue in the world, would've been our loss. #Tip 4 Start early for a unique experience and great photos Since Japan is so crowded, the entire experience of visiting a destination can be compromised by the crowds and the direction of the sun. For me, personally, this was especially true for Fushimi Inari and Kiyomizu-dera temple in Kyoto. I think the experience of seeing both these amazing shrines would have been much better had we arrived early in the morning, as they are best viewed in a calm and relaxed atmosphere. We reached there by 10 am, but even that was a bit late. Ideally, one should plan to reach there by 8:30 am. The same can be said for the Arishiyama Bamboo Forest, too. The small forest was almost crammed with people by the time we reached. On the other hand, we arrived at the Itsukushima Shrine in Miyajima quite early and were rewarded with a surreal view of the torii gate, both at the low tide and the high tide, by the time we left. #Tip 5 For intercity transfers, trains are your best option If you want to travel between cities, then Japanese trains are your best bet. You can opt for the JR Pass (Japan Railway Pass) that is valid on all Shinkansen (Bullet trains) and JR route trains. Riding on the bullet train is as much fun as seeing one zip through past stations! The only thing to note is that some fast Shinkansen trains, such as Nozomi, are not included in the JR Pass. The best part is that reservations for this pass are free, although you will need to complete the reservation online or at the booking office in person. Even if you're unable to make reservations, all trains have some compartments, mostly the first 3 or first 5, which are unreserved. The Japanese railway system is extremely well organised. However, it took us a day to fully comprehend how it works because a lot of detailed information is displayed on the signboards at all platforms. Each train, with its name and number, and the number of its unreserved compartments, is displayed on signboards. Just follow the signboards, and you will never face any issue travelling by train in Japan. #Tip 6 Commuting by local buses Don't skip travelling on the buses in Japan. They are super crowded, mind you, but I always write in all my blogs that to fully understand a country and its people, travel by local transport. One has to board the bus from the centre and deboard from the front next to the driver and purchase your ticket at this point, except in Tokyo, I think, where you get in from the front. It'll be good to know that buses only accept either coins of a minimum 10 yen denomination and above, or currency notes up to 1000 yen only. Despite the crowds, this system works very efficiently. #Tip 7 Trash is serious business in Japan I cannot emphasise this point enough. Trash is conspicuous by its absence in the entire country. No trash and no trash cans either. You will see people carrying a small bag with their trash in it. We even saw boards and notices outside retail stores, even restaurants, forbidding passersby from throwing their trash in their cans. We travelled to so many cities, and it's like this everywhere. If you're staying in an Airbnb, then don't be lax about the instructions regarding trash disposal displayed for you. #Tip 8 Politeness and civility all the way Japan has the undeniable reputation of being a very civil society. After having spent 15 days travelling through it, I can vouch for it. Don't ever jump queues and don't speak loudly, not on trains, on buses or even in public places. Despite massive crowds on trains and buses, I never once saw anyone losing their cool or behaving inappropriately. It was almost fun to watch how effortlessly people navigate their way through the crowd to reach the driver on buses to deboard. No pushing, no jostling, only thank you and excuse me. People keep their backpacks strapped to their front rather than on their backs to avoid any inconvenience to fellow passengers. Seats marked for the physically disabled are kept vacant at all times. In restaurants, no tips, please! Tipping is considered impolite. And asking for directions can be a lesson in basic human interaction. People will step out of their way to help you with directions, albeit in Japanese! So, it's a good idea to learn a few basic phrases to set the tone for your interaction. Most young people can understand English and can even speak a little, but older people, unlikely. But the Japanese people are a helpful lot; even if they don't understand your language, they'll help you out if you're lost or looking for some help. We've had people waiting on the street with us to help us look for our hotel, or a friendly stranger telling us where to board our bus. #Tip 9 Must make advance bookings for live shows What is a Japanese vacation without watching its live shows like Geisha performances, Sumo Wrestling, among others? What you need to know is that all these shows sell out months in advance. We were travelling in October 2025 and started booking shows as early as the end of August, and we still had to struggle with dates and timings. For the Geisha show in Kyoto, we had to book very expensive premium tickets because the rest of the hall was all booked. Most of the Geisha shows do not let you take pictures or make videos, which is a shame, but these rules are followed very strictly. Sumo wrestling performance show, on the other hand, in Tokyo, not just allowed photos but also invited the audience to join in a mock fight with the wrestlers. I'll talk about this in a separate blog post. #Tip 10 Must carry small cash A lot of places, like small street food vendors, eateries and small kiosks, accept only cash. They do not accept any credit or debit cards. So, carrying some cash is a must. And, remember, exchange of cash by hand is considered very improper; you're supposed to put it in a small dish or tray kept at most counters for this purpose, and you pick up the balance also the same way. #Tip 11 You cannot leave Japan without trying its authentic cuisine I'd heard people raving about Japanese cuisine, but having tasted some of it myself, I'd say don't miss this experience. In Osaka, you'll find amazing street food around Dotonbori Street, the thought of which makes me salivate. Takayaki, a dumpling filled with octopus, served with sauce, melon bread filled with different flavours of ice cream, candied fruit like strawberries on a stick, Surimi, a kind of minced fish served on a stick, and ramen, of course. You will find many restaurants that serve Sushi on a conveyor belt...not to miss again! My favourite was the assorted blow-torched Sushi plate in Kinka, a popular cafe in Akihabara, Tokyo. A lot of towns have their own specialities. Miyajima, for instance, is known for Momiji Manju, a small maple-leaf-shaped cake filled with sweet red bean paste... ....and oyster tempura and deep-fried oysters, cooked to perfection and served in roadside kiosks. Another must-try while you're in Japan is the green-coloured matcha ice cream. You also get a variety of Sake, so know your Sake before you leave for Japan. The only thing to note is that the Japanese people do not like to eat on the go, like Europeans or Americans, where you'll often see people walking around with sandwiches or coffee in their hands. Eating on trains and other public transport is also not allowed. #Tip 12 Must have a working e-SIM and Google Maps app installed on your phone The Japanese are way too organised when it comes to arranging their cities, so locating addresses can be a nightmare. Now, with hands-on GPS systems, just ensure that you have the exact address of where you are staying, with the correct name of the building, locality, etc. On our first day in Osaka, it took us a while to locate our Airbnb because there were four apartment complexes of the same company with different names within a 100-metre radius. Since our booking was with the company, it took us some time to figure out our location. This brings me to a very important point. Most hotels and Airbnb are self-check-in, so ensure that you have all the check-in details, like key card details, passwords, etc., in place beforehand. #Tip 13 Be weather-wise Temperatures in Japan can vary dramatically from region to region since Japan lies lengthwise along many latitudes. The same applies from east to west Japan. It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that you could experience a very cold climate in the north and a subtropical climate in the south of the country at the same time. So, research the region you're visiting. Before we set out on our journey, we had seen some videos about how to handle emergencies like sudden typhoons, tsunamis and earthquakes, since Japan is quite prone to these natural disasters. For any tourist to be caught in such a situation in a foreign land can be very disconcerting since language is also a barrier. There is little one can do about such contingencies, except be vigilant about where you are staying. If it's an apartment, then knowing about emergency exits can be a good idea. #Tip 14 Try local customs wherever possible Japan is an intriguing country. Their culture, traditions and customs, everything about them has always evoked a lot of curiosity. So, try as many authentic experiences as possible. We watched a Geisha show, a sumo wrestling performance, and saw a show at the famous non-verbal theatre in Japan, called GEAR Theatre. I'll discuss more about these shows in a separate blog. Another interesting cultural activity that many tourists, especially women, undertake is renting a kimono. One can spot many women strutting around in Kimonos at popular spots like the Senso-ji Temple in Asakusa, Tokyo and around many temples in Kyoto. Most rental agencies rent them for 6 to 8 hours, which includes make-up and photography. Chinese tourists dressed in Kimonos at the Kiyomizu-dera Temple in Kyoto Another fun thing to do is to stay in a Ryokan, the traditional Japanese inn, to experience the traditional lifestyle and hospitality, with Tatami mats and Futon beds. Most of them would also include a bath in the Onsen, the famous hot spring baths in Japan. Noteworthy is that all these cultural experiences have to be done with a lot of sensitivity and respect for local customs. #Tip 15 Visiting Mount Fuji No discussion about Japan can be complete without a mention of its famous mountain peak, the mesmerising Mount Fuji. There are many tour options to see this mountain, from both near and far. The simplest and most tourist-friendly option is to do a trip to Hakone on the Hakone Loop. This Loop can be done on a day trip from Tokyo, which includes a ride on the Hakone Ropeway with beautiful views of Mount Fuji en route, a short stop at the volcanic landscape of Owakudani and a boat ride on Lake Ashinoko. I'll discuss more about Hakone in a separate blog later. I can say from experience that all such places around the earth, which are bestowed with such jaw-dropping beauty, are always elusive. But call it sheer luck, we got to see glorious views of Mount Fuji on our train journey from Osaka to Kyoto. My only tip here is to sit on the left side of the train and keep a lookout about one hour into the journey. If the day is clear, you will see magnificent views like this one... However, on our day trip to Hakone, although we saw the mountain very clearly from the viewing platform in Owakudani, but its iconic snow-covered tip was partially covered by clouds although we had picked a sunny day for this day trip.. So, that's Japan for you in a nutshell. I can say with a certain amount of certainty that there are no tourist traps anywhere in Japan. The people are courteous and honest, and you will not find any touts anywhere in touristy places, trying to scam or cheat tourists. There is very little haggling in markets, maybe only in some flea markets around Osaka, but not in Tokyo. The country is safe, clean and welcoming. For more detailed blogs on our 15-day holiday in Japan, keep watching this space!

Osaka can be a great starting point for your trip to Japan. It's lively but not as crowded as Tokyo; it has many shrines but not as many as in Kyoto; it's less expensive and more friendly, making it an ideal option to ease into your Japanese vacation. When I say ease, I mean that visiting Kyoto and Tokyo literally sent our senses reeling...in a good way, of course! There is so much to do in these cities that, despite having 4 and 5 days respectively in each of them, we were running from point to point to see it all. But Osaka can be more relaxed, for sure! You can spend an evening loitering around the Dotonbori Street and Canal and savour its many yummy treats! We had 3 days in Osaka, so our itinerary featured most of the not-to-miss sights that Osaka has to offer. # Day One Namba District Dotonbori Canal and District Tombori Riverfront Shinsaibashi-suji Shopping Arcade Savouring street food Hozen-ji Temple We reached Osaka by midday, so on Day One, we decided to spend the evening at the famous Namba District of Osaka, known for its vibrant nightlife and street food outlets. Namba lies in the Minami area, where you will also find the famous Dotonbori Riverside Promenade that runs along the Dotonbori Canal. Interestingly, Dotonbori is a man-made canal, bori meaning canal in Japanese. This canal is also nicknamed the Tombori Riverfront, where you can step onto a canal cruise and see the sights from the water. You will see neon-lit signs on both sides of the canal and the streets leading up to the Dotonbori area.  Osaka has earned the nickname 'Japan's kitchen', owing to its rocking street food culture. The areas of Namba and Dotonbori are laden with shops serving authentic Japanese fare like Takoyaki and Okonomiyaki at reasonable prices. Another speciality is a slice of melon bread filled with an ice cream slice of your choice. One of the popular tourist attractions in Namba is the 600-metre-long covered shopping arcade, Shinsaibashi-suji. You will find an interesting mix of street food outlets, local tailors, and small boutiques lining the street. Just a few meters away from the Dotonbori area is a small Buddhist Temple called Hozen-ji Temple. A small cobblestone pathway will lead you to this charming temple, where you will see a moss-covered statue of Mizikake Fudo, a revered deity believed to dispel ignorance and evil. It's considered sacred to splash water on the deity to bring good luck. My Tip Namba is a must-visit place in Osaka; you will get an instant taste of Japan, its cuisine and culture on your visit. Must try the amazing street food, especially the melon bread filled with ice cream! # Day Two Sumiyoshi Taisha Shrine Osaka Castle Tempozan Giant Wheel Osaka Aquarium - Kaiyukan Sumiyoshi Taisha Shrine After a relaxed Day One that we had spent sauntering around the streets of Osaka, we decided to cover major ground on Day Two. We started our day early with a visit to the Sumiyoshi Taisha Shrine. Sumiyoshi Taisha is the head of over 2000 Sumiyoshi shrines across Japan and is one of the most famous Shinto shrines. Read more about this shrine by clicking on the link below https://www.journeys2memories.com/post/sumiyoshi-taisha-shrine-osaka Osaka Castle Osaka Castle is Japan's most famous landmark. Read more about this castle by clicking on the link below https://www.journeys2memories.com/post/a-day-at-the-osaka-castle Tempozan Giant Wheel How does it feel to sit atop the world's largest giant wheel? That's Tempozan for you! The Tempozan is a whopping 369 feet high and 330 feet in diameter. 60 closed cabins take about 15 minutes to go around in one rotation, and when you reach the top, you get stunning views of the Osaka skyline and the Osaka Bay with Rokko Mountains to the north and Mount Ikoma to the east. My Tip The Tempozan is a must-visit attraction; you will find a massive queue leading to the wheel, so try to reach early. The wheel goes around very slowly owing to its mammoth size, but the thrill of watching great scenic views from the top is worth the wait. Tempozan is very close to the Osaka Aquarium; if you plan to do both, then keep aside at least 3 to 4 hours. The aquarium is a very busy place; one is required to buy a ticket, and then you are allocated a slot to enter. So, you should buy your aquarium tickets first and then go to the Tempozan. We did not know about this and had to wait for almost 2 hours to enter the aquarium after finishing our ride on the Tempozan. Kaiyukan - Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan is one of the largest aquariums in the world, and its spectacular Pacific Tank with its massive whale sharks will blow your mind. Learn everything you wish to know about Kaiyukan by clicking on the link below https://www.journeys2memories.com/post/a-day-at-kaiyukan-one-of-the-world-s-largest-aquariums-in-osaka # Day 3 Shitennoji Temple Shinsekai District and Tsutenkaku Tower with its Tower Slider Last evening at Dotonbori District Shitennoji Temple This was our last day in Osaka. We set out to visit the Shitennoji Temple, which is claimed to be the oldest Buddhist temple in Japan, founded in 593 by Prince Shotoku, a revered figure who dedicated his life to spreading Buddhism in Japan. The most notable feature of the temple is its symmetrical layout, serene park and the beautiful five-storey pagoda. The temple was burnt and destroyed multiple times throughout history, so what we see now are fairly new constructions built as early as the 1960s and 70s. My Tip The temple is a 15-minute walk from the Tenno-ji Station. The area around the temple is very serene, and we spent a quiet morning there. The most notable feature is that the temple is located right in the middle of a very densely populated urban residential area and still looks like an oasis of calm. The park around the temple is free to visit; it's a great place to take photos. Photography inside the temple is strictly prohibited. If you wish to see the pagoda from inside, then the entry ticket is 500 yen. Shinsekai District, Tsutenkaku Tower and Tower Slider The Shinsekai District is Osaka's vibrant, old-fashioned district popular for bars and eateries and the iconic Tsutenkaku Tower. Learn more about this rocking Osaka neighbourhood by clicking on the link below https://www.journeys2memories.com/post/shinsekai-osaka-exploring-the-retro-heart-of-the-city After spending the early part of the evening at Shinsekai, we headed to the Dotonbori District again. One can never tire of seeing this vibrant part of Osaka. Besides, it was raining on the first day we came here, so we wanted to spend our last evening in Osaka wandering around this charming district. Early next morning, we set out to see Himeji Castle. Coming up next...

Sumiyoshi Taisha, one of Japan's oldest shrines and the head of all Sumiyoshi shrines, will leave you spellbound by its picturesque gardens and tranquil ambience. About Sumiyoshi Taisha Shrine This is one of Japan's oldest shrines, dating back to the 3rd century, before the advent of Buddhism. There are over 2000 Sumiyoshi shrines across Japan, and they worship Kami, the gods who protect fishermen and sailors. Sumiyoshi Taisha is considered to be the protective shrine of the Port of Osaka. ope This is the shrine of celebration for the people of Osaka...around 2 million people come to visit the shrine each year in January, a ritual called Hatsumode, meaning the traditional first shrine visit of the year! This is the time when tens of thousands of people throng this shrine to pray for good luck and draw their paper fortunes, called Omikuji , a practice that is prevalent throughout Japan across all shrines. Sumiyoshi Taisha is a Shinto shrine. Shinto religion embodies a belief in the Animistic religion that is centred on the worship of Kami, the supernatural entities or gods, believed to inhabit all animate and inanimate objects. These supernatural entities inhabit all living and non-living objects, including trees, rocks, sacred animal messengers, and landscapes. We were drawn to this shrine owing to the amazing similarity it shares with Hinduism in its belief in Kami. Interestingly, you will see many colourful statues of rabbits and cats, believed to be divine messengers. Cats are believed to bring good fortune. Visiting Sumiyoshi Taisha Shrine in Osaka Sumiyoshi Taisha is very easily accessible by local trains. You can take the Nankai Line from Namba Station. The shrine is located very close to the Sumiyoshi Taisha Station; from there, it's barely a 5-minute walk to the shrine. The shrine is open from 6:00 am to 5:00 pm daily. Entry is free. As you enter the shrine, you will be greeted by the beautiful vermillion-coloured bridge, the Sorihashi Bridge. From there, you can walk into the main pavilion of the shrine. Plan to spend about an hour at the shrine and soak in its calm vibrance. The shrine is very close to Tempozan, the giant Ferris wheel and the Osaka Aquarium. This was a bright, sunny day and we had plans to visit the Osaka Castle after this. Coming up next...

After spending close to 2 hours at the Sumiyoshi Taisha Shrine, we headed to one of Japan's most famous landmarks, the Osaka Castle. Interestingly, Osaka Castle was built in the 16th century, and it has played a very significant role in the unification and history of Japan. Still, the iconic main Tower that we see now was destroyed and rebuilt many times over, with the latest reconstruction as recent as 1931, when reinforced concrete was used to re-create the tower. The castle was yet again a target of air raids in WWII. In 1997, the restoration work was completed, and the Main Tower was converted into a museum. The amazing thing is that, despite repeated reconstructions over the years, Osaka Castle has maintained its old-world charm and classic traditional Japanese architecture, featuring the five-storey Main Keep or Tower, which now houses an observation platform offering city views and a History Museum. The castle has gained a lot of popularity in recent times since it's one of the most popular hanami spots, hanami meaning cherry blossom viewing. It's an iconic spot to see cherry blossoms or Sakura from late March to early April. Castle Park, especially Nishinomaru Garden, has over 4000 thousand cherry trees that bloom in the spring. During this time, the castle comes alive with festive events and stunning nighttime illuminations. This magnificent castle is built on a raised platform, and you will see stone walls made of massive rocks that support the platform. These rocks were sourced from all across Japan, and some of them weigh over 100 tons, with the famous megalith that weighs 120 tons, called the Octopus Stone! The stone is visible as you enter from the Sakuramon Gate. There are two moats surrounding the castle; the outer moat goes around the entire castle with water-filled ponds in all four cardinal directions. Handy tips to know about Osaka Castle Osaka Castle is open every day with timings typically from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. Castle Park is free to enter. However, you will need a ticket to enter the Main Tower and at least 3 hours to see the Castle Park and the Main Tower, including the waiting time in the queue. Like most public places in Japan, the castle has excellent amenities, including clean, free toilets close to the Main Tower. There are lots of places to sit and laze around, too, munch and generally have a good time. The entire area around the Osaka Castle is abuzz with events that you can explore, like the Nishinomaru Garden, which is a hotspot for great views of the castle and photography. The garden has a paid entry. If you happen to be in Osaka in July, then the castle is host to one of Japan's famous festivals, Tenjin Matsuri. Castle Park is an active hub for a lot of activities in all kinds of weather, so plan to spend some time to explore this beautiful haven of green. The picturesque outer facade of the castle can be a great spot for photography. You will find massive queues waiting to get into the Main Tower. The history museum is not what one would expect from a castle this old; it is very modern with 3D images and holograms to narrate the history of the castle. Not my idea of visiting an old castle museum. Besides, we were leaving for Himeji the next day to see the famous Himeji Castle, so we gave this one a miss. Osaka Castle is well-connected by train. You can take the Osaka Loop Line from the Osaka Station to Morinomiya Station. As you step out, you will get beautiful views of the castle from here... you can keep walking in the direction of the castle for about 12 to 15 minutes. First view of the castle from the Morinomiya Station I'm pasting the link to my Instagram reel about the Osaka Castle for your reference. You can follow my Instagram page for more videos on Japan https://www.instagram.com/reel/DRRP2DIk0hJ/?igsh=cXVpOHljbTMzZmV3

A whole lot of interesting sights make the Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan a must-see attraction on your Osaka itinerary. The aquarium is home to almost 30,000 creatures spanning over 620 species, from the mighty whale sharks and sting rays of the ocean, to the most minuscule creatures like the jellyfish, spotted garden eels, mushroom corals and anemones. The aquarium stands out for its unique design, too. Visitors enter from the top floor and walk their way down, along the massive Pacific tank, as they get to witness all kinds of marine life at every depth of the ocean. The top attraction is the Pacific Tank, of course, which houses two massive whale sharks, male and female, Kai and Yu, measuring approximately 4 to 6 metres in length. The Pacific Tank, with its mind-boggling dimensions, is an attraction in its own right. It is 9 meters deep, 34 meters in length and holds 5400 tons of water!! The acrylic glass that holds this volume of water is 30 cm thick. You will also see intriguing exhibits of sea lions, otters, penguins, seals, and a large variety of colourful marine life. My Tips about spending a fun-filled day around Kaiyukan Kaiyukan is located in the Tempozan Harbour Village near the Osaka Bay. It's very easily accessible by public transport. You can take the Osaka Metro Midosuji Line from Namba Station and get off at Hommachi. Switch to the Chuo Line and get off at Osakako Station. From there, you would've walked for about 10 minutes before starting to see the giant wheel of the Tempozan, the largest Ferris wheel in the world and right next to it is the Osaka Aquarium and the Tempozan Marketplace. One should plan to keep an entire day around this area. You can first go to Tempozan for a ride and then to Kaiyukan, or you could first get your tickets for the aquarium and then go to the giant wheel. The latter option worked quite well for us; we first fetched tickets for the aquarium upon arrival. Our slot was 3:30 pm. We then took a ride on the Ferris Wheel, which took about 1.5 hours since there was a long queue there too; had our lunch at the Tempozan Marketplace, and then had to wait for almost an hour before entering the aquarium. The best time to visit the aquarium is on a weekday. Weekends can get really crowded since it offers great exhibits for people of all age groups. You will see families with kids and grandparents in tow, waiting in the queue to enter. Entry to the aquarium is paid. Ideally, one should book online tickets in advance. Same-day tickets can also be purchased at the ticket counter, but you might not be able to get the entry time of your choice, and waiting times could be really long, especially if it's a weekend. The price of the tickets is dynamic, meaning it depends on customer demand. The average price of a ticket could range from USD 10.00 to 18.00. Please click on the link below to the official website of Kaiyukan to determine the price of the ticket on your day of visit https://en-61698.site-translation.com/ Tempozan Marketplace is a regular shopping mall with loads of eateries and shopping options. It's a good way to spend time if you're waiting to enter the aquarium.

Visiting the Shinsekai District in Osaka is like visiting a movie set filming a village fair scene with a carnival kind of feel! Everything here looks like a prop...colourful neon signs literally popping out of street corners with giant masks staring down at you, retro video game arcades, street food vendors serving typical Japanese delights like the Takoyaki, small go-karts zipping past on open streets, cheap bars, funfair attractions like shooting galleries...all of this with the Tsutenkaku Tower looming over the top! If this description doesn't catch your fancy, then maybe these pictures will... This is Osaka at its liveliest, especially in the evening. You can aimlessly wander around these lanes; that's what everyone seems to be doing! Shinsekai District is only about 2 km from the city centre, Namba. You can walk and explore the city, and if you're not keen on walking, then you can take the Midosuji Line to Dobusuen-mae Station, from where you'll have to walk for 6 minutes to reach Shinsekai. The hotspot in Shinsekai is the Tsutenkaku Tower. There is a lot of activity around it. The tower has three main attractions: the Observatory, the Tower Slider, and dive-and-walk on the rooftop. We were short on time, so we opted for the Tower Slider only. Tower Slider is a 60-metre-long transparent slide wrapped around the outside of the tower, which takes you from the third floor of Tsutenkaku Tower to the basement, dropping you 22 metres in just 10 seconds. The preparation for the ride is more exciting than the 10-second ride itself. You're made to wear a helmet and a sack to put your feet into. You will then be led through a maze of staircases to the top and made to sit on an open metallic pipe with your hands crossed across your chest. You will smile into the camera fitted over the chute and be pushed into the metallic chute. Sounds great, but the ride is simply too short to even experience the adrenaline rush. On the fifth floor of the tower is the Billiken Statue; rubbing the feet of this smiling deity is believed to bring good fortune. Once you're done with the Tower, you can savour many authentic Japanese dishes at the many food outlets. Osaka Shinsekai is a great place to spend a fun-filled evening in Osaka and savour local cuisine at very reasonable prices with the retro charm of Osaka as the background!

The Old Town, with its famous Old Town Square, is the liveliest part of the city of Prague. One can easily spend many hours strolling alongside the hundreds of fellow visitors, gaping at the sights and soaking in the amazing vibe of this city. There are 10 important landmarks that one should aspire to see while in the Old Town a. Staromestske Namesti, Old Town Square b. Old Town Hall and Astronomical Clock c. Church of our Lady before Tyn d. St. Nicholas Church e. Kinsky Palace f. Jan Hus Monument g. Prague Meridien h. Jewish Museum / Jewish Quarter i. Spanish Synagogue j. Powder Tower and Obecni Dum, Prague Municipal House a. Staromestske Namesti, Old Town Square The Old Town Square is a large pedestrian zone in the Old Town. You will see hundreds of people flocking around its famous historical monuments, jostling with each other. While in Prague, you should aim to spend at least 2 to 3 hours in the square to soak in the vibe of this amazing city. The square is a popular site for all kinds of demonstrations and gatherings. You can never tire of sitting on one of the benches and seeing the world go by. b. Old Town Hall and Prague Astronomical Clock The Old Town Hall was established in the 12th Century and served as the administrative seat for the Old Town. The Town Hall is a set of five medieval houses with one corner occupied by the mammoth rectangular tower and the Astronomical Clock. Conducted tours of the Town Hall are available every hour, depending on your choice of language. We'd read some excellent reviews about the tour of the Town Hall, but didn't go for it because it was very cool and sunny that day, and we preferred spending time outdoors. And now the famous Prague Astronomical Clock...also known as Prague Orloj, this clock is a must-see attraction in Prague. Prague Orloj is just a clock that shows time, except for the fact that it has been doing so for the last 600 years or more!! Built in 1410, this is one of the oldest and most complex astronomical clocks in the World, and it draws millions of visitors to Prague each year!! This 15th-century clock chimes every hour, and a skeleton hanging on the outside rings the bell to announce the hour. Then, there is the 'Walk of the Apostles', where 12 mechanical figures of apostles appear in the window above every hour. Basically, to say that there is a good amount of drama around the clock that is fun to watch. There is a surge of crowds in front of the clock as noon approaches, and people gather to see the display. The Gothic-style outer facade of the clock is impressive; it tracks celestial movements, phases of the moon, and shows the movement of the Sun and other Zodiac constellations. My Tip There is an elevator for an extra charge if you decide to go up to the top of the tower. You will get very nice views of Prague, and you will be able to see the working mechanism of this clock from the inside. It's a good idea to read about this clock before your trip to appreciate its working, how it was heavily damaged during World War II and how it was painstakingly restored to its present condition. c. Church of our Lady before Tyn The tall spires of this church are visible from a lot of places in Prague, but the entrance to the church is from the Old Town Square through a small alley. You will have to look for the entrance closely since it is sandwiched between two restaurants that are located right outside the church. The beautiful edifice of the church looks ethereal during sunset. The interiors and the altar are stunning. Entry is free. In summer, a lot of concerts are organised here; if you're interested, the ticket office is right next to the entrance of the church. d. St. Nicholas Church in Old Town Square There are 2 St. Nicholas Churches in Prague. This one is in the Old Town Square and the other one is in the Lesser Town. Entry to St. Nicholas Church in Old Town Square is free, while the other is paid. The Church has a beautiful altar and a stunning chandelier. You can just walk in and admire the beautiful frescoes of this Gothic and Baroque-style church. e. Kinsky Palace Right in front of the Church of Our Lady before Tyn lies this beautiful Rococo structure with its distinct, elegant exterior. The palace is now an art museum. It was closed for renovation, so we could not see it from the inside. But the outer facade of the palace blends beautifully with the church spires jutting out from the background. Great photo opportunity. f. Jan Hus Monument This monument is the first thing you'll see as you step into the Old Town Square. The massive memorial is dedicated to Jan Hus, a theologian and religious reformer in the 16th century, who condemned the catholic church for its moral decay. My Tip There are lots of benches around the monument where you can sit and relax. You will find nice fast-food cafes around this place, which serve the famous Czech sweet pastry called Trdelnik. The pastry is delicious, you can get a filling of ice cream on top...Umm...yum!! g. Prague Meridien This narrow strip of brass on the ground near the Jan Hus Monument was used to tell the time in Prague from the mid-17th century till 1918! You will have to look at the centre of the Old Town Square to be able to locate it. Tourists are always flocking around this place for selfies, so locating it should not be a problem! h. Jewish Museum / Jewish Quarter Like in a lot of other places in Europe, the Jewish Museum refers to the many historical buildings of the Jewish Ghetto, where Jews were forced to move from other parts of Prague. I had read somewhere before leaving for Prague that Hitler wanted to preserve this area in Prague as a museum for the extinct Jewish Race. So, ironically, a lot of artefacts were plundered from other parts of the world and brought here for preservation and display. This had caught my fancy, and we made it a point to see the Jewish Quarter. There is a statue of Franz Kafka, the most famous Jew of Prague, here in the Jewish Quarter. My Tip The entire area is laden with Jewish history. There are many options for buying tickets on the day of your visit along with an optional audio guide. The neighbourhood has a distinct character that is hard to describe, but you can feel it when you're there. You can buy tickets at the Information and Reservation Centre on the day of your visit. But if you're looking for a conducted tour, then you can take the Jewish Quarter Tour. The walking tour lasted about 3 hours, and it took us deep into the turbulent history of the Jews in Prague. Owing to the massive crowds, we had bought the tour online beforehand. I'm not sure that you will be able to book a conducted tour there and then. i. Spanish Synagogue This stunning Synagogue is included in the Jewish Quarter Tour. The prefix Spanish was associated with this synagogue owing to its Moorish revival architecture that can also be seen distinctly in the Alhambra in Spain. The ornate interiors of the synagogue just blew us away. This beautiful structure reminded me of the awe-inspiring Sagrada Familia in Barcelona. Not-to-miss attraction! The pictures I had taken did not do justice to this stunning structure, hence I've picked a professionally clicked picture here. j. Powder Tower and Obecni Dum, Prague Municipal House Powder Tower is a beautiful Gothic gate that separates the New Town from the Old Town. The tower, I believe, dates back to the 1400s. Its exterior facade has been blackened over the years. In the early 18th Century, this tower was used to store gunpowder, hence the name. Right next to the Powder Gate is Obecni Dum, Prague Municipal House. Entry to the building is free. Inside Obecni Dum is Smetana Hall, one of the most popular concert halls in Prague. The structure is unbelievably beautiful and offers great photo opportunities. You can refer to their official website if you're interested in watching a concert. https://www.obecnidum.cz/ My Tip If you have the energy, walk up the Powder Tower's 150-plus steps, which are slightly uneven in some places but not very tedious to cover. The views you get all around are okay, nothing spectacular. You can spend the saved time along the river instead. So, that is Prague Old Town for you. You will need at least one day to cover this entire area at leisure. While in Prague Old Town Square, don't forget to taste Trdelník from one of the roadside eateries offering this delightful Czech pastry with ice cream, then sit on one of the benches around the square while you relish your dessert. If you visit Prague Old Town, do share your experience with me. For some more useful travel tips, click here

A trip to Prague is incomplete without seeing Prague Castle, the largest castle in Europe. This is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the most interesting one I have yet seen, owing to a variety of buildings and structures that belong to different eras and yet stand together very cohesively in this castle complex. Prague Castle is an overload of culture and history. You can see the relics of Bohemian kings, stunning artworks, historical manuscripts and above all, the crown jewels. The 9th-century castle is an awe-inspiring complex of 6 main attractions - Old Royal Palace - St. Vitus Cathedral - St. George's Basilica - Lobkowicz Palace - Golden Lane - Permanent Exhibitions of Prague Castle Here are a few handy tips for your visit We visited the Prague Castle Complex without much prior information. Upon reaching there, I realised that we should've researched it, the foremost reason being the sheer size of the complex. So, I've jotted down some basic facts for you that could be very helpful in case you go visiting. - The castle complex is massive, covering an area of 70,000 square meters. You need to set aside at least 3 to 4 hours to see this complex. - It takes only 15 minutes on foot from Charles Bridge to reach the castle. - Once you enter the complex, stroll along to take a good look at the stunning buildings from the outside before buying entry tickets to the paid areas. The exterior facades are as compelling as the interiors. And they are free!! - Entry into the castle complex is free. If you wish to see these attractions from the inside, then you need to buy a ticket. There are many ticket options available, so it's a good idea to do some research before you go, depending on the amount of time you have and what you wish to see. You can check the official website of Prague Castle for details - https://www.hrad.cz/en/prague-castle-for-visitor - There are Basic Circuit tickets that cover the Old Royal Palace, St. George's Basilica, Golden Lane and St. Vitus Cathedral. Apart from these 4 attractions, some permanent exhibitions can also be seen for a separate ticket. All tickets are valid for 2 days, so if you have time, then you can go back again to see what is left, but remember, entry to one attraction is permitted only once. - Over 2 million people visit the castle each year, so you can imagine the crowds thronging to enter the castle each day. Start early, especially if you want to buy tickets at the counter. If you're sure about what you wish to see, buying tickets online beforehand is better, guaranteeing you a Priority Entrance. I'll try to give you an insight into the castle to help you decide what to see. - As per the official website of the castle, photography inside the castle is not permitted. You need a valid license for it. But I saw so many people clicking pictures, and I am sure not all of them had licenses. I concluded that one just needs to do it without the use of flash. - If possible, plan your trip on a weekday for smaller crowds. Weekends can be quite busy. - The castle complex is wheelchair friendly and entry for wheelchair users and their attendants is free. - The approach to the castle complex is quite uphill; there is a very broad Old Castle staircase leading to the castle that makes walking on the incline easier, but be prepared to walk a lot. Also, there is no shade anywhere, so if it's summer, then carry an umbrella. We were scorched by the summer sun while walking uphill. After posting this blog on the Facebook page of a Prague Travel group, a fellow member of the group, Vit Spisek, pointed out that a better way to enter the castle is from Nerudova Street. This street will lead you to the square with panoramic views, and one can enter the castle from the Main Gate. And if you want to avoid walking altogether, then take tram # 22 to Prazsky hrad (Prague Castle) and enter via the North Gate. Alternatively, take tram # 22 and get down at Pohorelec. From here, you will see the Strahov Monastery and more panoramic views and then a small walk will lead you to the Main Gate. You can also walk to the North Gate through the castle gardens from Letna Park. Such detailed information could come only from a local. I am grateful to Vit for letting me share this valuable information here, and I hope everyone reading this post will find it useful. - I'd read a lot of mixed reviews about the various tour options available in the paid attractions. We were not sure what to do upon reaching the palace. The audio guide is priced at a whopping 350 CZK for some reason. Eventually, we opted for the one-hour tour that cost 250 CZK. The guide was good and the tour was very informative. - Cafes inside the castle complex are quite expensive. We paid 4 euros for a bottle of water. You can carry your food and drinks. There are a lot of places to sit around and eat. And now a word about the attractions inside the Prague Castle Old Royal Palace This beautiful Romanesque palace can be seen as part of the circuit ticket. It is still a functional hall and many ceremonial gatherings of the Czech government are still held here. My Tip The highlight of your trip to the Royal Palace is the Vladislav Hall. St. Vitus Cathedral This is the largest church in Prague. It has seen the coronations of many Czech kings and queens. My Tip This is a not-to-miss attraction. The church is stunning both on the outside and the inside. Outside, if you crane your neck, you will see such intricate details carved in stone with gargoyles and spires jutting into the sky. As you enter, you will be mesmerised by its Gothic architecture and the tall stained glass windows. St. Wenceslas Chapel is magnificent. St. George's Basilica This is the oldest church building within the castle complex. Compared to St. Vitus Cathedral, this church is quite sombre. My Tip This is included in the circuit ticket, so we watched it. Nothing spectacular about it. If you're running short on time or if you're very tired from all the walking, you can skip this one. Lobkovicz Palace The Palace is the only privately owned building in the Castle complex and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It holds a vast and enthralling collection of artworks belonging to the Lobkowicz family over generations. The audio guide is fun to hear as the owner, William Lobkowicz, talks about how the Nazis took away their wealth and how they re-collected all of it. My Tip There is a music concert every day at 1 pm. You must buy the combination ticket that will offer you entry to the museum along with an audio guide and a concert at 1 pm. The only negative is that the palace is hugely crowded. We had to wait a good 30 minutes in the sun to get inside. There are also quite a few steps before you see the museum. Golden Lane This lane has dwellings of the caretakers or servers of the castle. At the end of the lane is a torture chamber and a dungeon. My Tip The lane was so crowded when we got there. But it was nice and vibrant. Franz Kafka also lived here on this lane at some point. Permanent Exhibitions of Prague Castle There are 2 permanent exhibitions at the Prague Castle. - The story of Prague Castle, - Prague Castle Picture Gallery Buying the Prague Castle - Permanent Exhibition Circuit includes entry to these exhibitions. We did not see these exhibitions since we were travelling to Prague after spending a fortnight in Austria, and we'd had our fill of visiting all kinds of museums. But if you're interested in seeing these exhibitions, then please refer to the official website of Prague Castle to buy combo tickets accordingly. My parting tip to anyone visiting the castle is to refer to the official website mentioned above before your trip, because this castle is massive with many attractions to see. We wasted a lot of time and energy trying to figure out what to do and what to omit. This will give you an idea about what you're watching once you're inside the castle complex. What you do here will depend entirely on the time available to you. Not-to-miss attractions are the Old Royal Palace, Saint Vitus Cathedral and Lobkovicz Palace.

Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam, is a city that offers an interesting insight into the Vietnamese way of life and proudly showcases its historical architectural landmarks. It's situated in Northern Vietnam on the banks of the Red River, which owes its name to the reddish-brown colour of its silt-laden water. There's a lot to do and see, so it's ideal to keep aside at least 3 days for this beautiful city. Before I elaborate on what we did and my personal experiences in Hanoi, here are the Top 5 common dos and don'ts that all visitors to Hanoi should be aware of ... The capital city of Vietnam is vibrant, so even if you stay in the Old Quarter in Hanoi, don't confine yourself to it. Venture out into the city and explore its beautiful architecture and vibe. Hanoi can be quite cold in winter and extremely hot and humid in summer. Plan your trip keeping the weather in mind. We travelled to Hanoi at the end of March. It was the tail-end of winter and very cold. We had to buy thick jackets the very evening we landed, like the hundreds of other fellow tourists who came with the misconception that Vietnam is always warm. For more tips about Vietnam, click on the link below https://www.journeys2memories.com/post/my-top-ten-tips-for-your-vietnam-trip Since we're discussing buying jackets, let me give you an important tip. Don't forget to bargain while shopping in the local market. Yes, you heard it right! Vietnamese people love to haggle over prices, so indulge them and walk away with a better deal. The city has a rich culinary culture with an unmistakable Chinese and French influence. Don't miss the amazing French cuisine in the French Quarter alongside the traditional Vietnamese cuisine comprising the famous Pho and Banh Mi. You will also find most of the popular American fast food outlets like McDonald's, KFC and Domino's in Hanoi, in case you wish to eat on the go. Download the Grab App. The best way to travel around Vietnam is by hiring a cab through the Grab App. Please note that your local SIM card will not allow you to download the App. Of course, you could also hire a cab without the Grab app, but that would involve two challenges: one, explaining the location of your destination to the driver who does not understand your language at all, and two, haggling over the price to be paid. So, Grab App!! We had three nights and two full days in Hanoi, and we packed a lot into our itinerary, which I've broken day-wise, rather than attraction-wise, so that you can plan your time accordingly. Day One - Arrival in the evening Old Quarter We reached Hanoi at about 6:00 pm and headed straight to the Old Quarter, where we were staying. The distance between the airport and the Old Quarter is 25 km, and it took us a good 45 minutes to reach. The temperature in Hanoi was a cold 16 degrees, which was unexpected.   It happened to be a weekend, and the Old Quarter seemed to be bursting at the seams with so many people all around. My Tip Plan to stay in the Old Quarter to get the real touristy vibe of the city and, better still, plan on a weekend stay. As you can see, the Old Quarter comes alive on weekends in the evening with live shows and street concerts. Day Two - Morning Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum Ba Dinh Square Presidential Palace and Gardens One Pillar Pagoda We started early in the morning to see the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, a deeply revered Vietnamese National Monument that must feature on your Hanoi itinerary. You will also see the famous Ba Dinh Square, the Presidential Palace, and the One Pillar Pagoda on this trip since they are all right next to each other. Learn more about the Mausoleum by clicking on the link below https://www.journeys2memories.com/post/ho-chi-minh-mausoleum-hanoi Temple of Literature After spending about 2.5 hours at the Mausoleum, we headed to this historical site that is about 2 km from the Mausoleum. This is a true specimen of the rich cultural heritage of Vietnam and a must-see sight. Click on the link below to read more about this amazing attraction https://www.journeys2memories.com/post/temple-of-literature-in-hanoi-vietnam Day Two - Afternoon Hoa Lo Prison Hoa Lo Prison is about 2 km from the Temple of Literature, and it takes 8 to 10 minutes on foot. The Hoa Lo Prison in Hanoi was built by French colonists in 1896 to detain Vietnamese political prisoners and revolutionaries with all the trappings of a regular prison of the early 20th century. It has heart-rending torture chambers and dungeons used by the French, even a real guillotine from that era. After the establishment of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam in 1945, this prison was converted into an education centre. Ironically, once America got involved in the Vietnam War in 1965, this prison came to be used again by the North Vietnamese forces to detain the American POWs, earning the prison the infamous nickname 'Hanoi Hilton', and the torture chambers were back in violation of the Geneva Convention. My Tip There's a lot to see at the Hoa Lo Prison, which has now been turned into a museum, so allow at least 2 hours for your visit. Don't forget to take the audio guide; it's very informative. Your tour of the prison will start with the torture chambers and dungeons of the French colonists, with informative displays of maps, uniforms and their sub-human living conditions, like the dingy and narrow corridors that led to the living quarters of prisoners with not a shred of sunlight. Visitors are then led into an exhaustive exhibit featuring memorabilia from the Vietnam War, including a handwritten letter from President Ho Chi Minh. Overall, this museum is an evocative experience, the same torture chambers and the same inhuman living conditions that many of us have seen at so many other museums in the world. Avoid going in the afternoon; it gets very crowded as most people plan to spend the hot day inside the museum. There's a small cafe on the premises and some interesting souvenir shops to buy trinkets. Day Two - Evening Water Puppet Show This unique puppet theatre will leave you spellbound. Read more about this interesting art form by clicking on the link below : https://www.journeys2memories.com/post/water-puppet-show-in-hanoi Day Three - Day Trip to Ninh Binh - 8 hours Ninh Binh, also known as 'Halong Bay on Land', offers scenic views of the Vietnamese countryside, beautiful ancient temples, and stunning landscapes. Click on the link below to read more https://www.journeys2memories.com/post/day-trip-to-ninh-binh-from-hanoi

A visit to the famous Angkor Wat, the largest temple complex in the world, has been on my bucket list for as long as I can remember! I finally got to visit this UNESCO World Heritage site in April 2025. Time stood still as I first set my eyes upon the hauntingly beautiful ruins of Angkor Wat and its distinctive five tall spires jutting into the sky against the early morning sun. About Angkor Wat Angkor Wat is sheer poetry set in stone; the endlessly long corridors, ornate balustrades and stone galleries that wind their way around the temple narrate the tales of this glorious Khmer monument. This priceless architectural gem of Cambodia was built by Khmer King Suryavarman II in the 12th century, as a state temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu, the preserver in the Hindu trinity of Gods. By the late 12th century, the temple was declared a Buddhist temple by King Jayavarman VII. Since the origins of the temple are based on Hindu cosmology, the entire temple has an amalgamation of Hindu and Buddhist sculptures and bas-reliefs, depicting tales from the Hindu epics of Ramayana and Mahabharata. The complex is surrounded by a massive moat in all directions, measuring 200 meters wide and 4 meters deep, symbolising the Sheersagar , or the Cosmic Milk Ocean, where Lord Vishnu resides. A wide causeway will lead you to the Western entrance of the temple over the moat. You will see a stone rim running along the temple wall, symbolic of Sheshnag , the serpent demi-god on whose head Lord Vishnu rests. At the entrance is the head of the Sheshnag, holding guard with its huge seven-headed serpent head. This grand causeway is aligned perfectly with the entrance in the centre of the temple, which was used by the king to enter. The two adjacent entrances were used by ministers, and the two in the far corner were used for elephants, aptly called Elephant Gates. From here, you can see the tall spires of the temple representing the mythical Mount Meru , considered to be the axis of the universe in Hindu cosmology. Angkor Wat has an intriguing system of stairways. There are 12 staircases with 41 steps each, connecting the different levels of this multi-tiered temple. We were told by our guide that 41 is considered to be an auspicious number by the Khmer people. This system of stairways is also symbolic of the basic ethos of both Hinduism and Buddhism, that humans must strive hard to achieve higher levels of existence. As you walk towards the central tower, you will see an almost vertical stairway leading to the top of the tower, aptly called 'Staircase to Heaven' as it leads to the top of the tower and offers beautiful vistas of the temple grounds. View of the Western Gate from the highest point in Angkor Wat Some basic facts about Angkor Wat and some Do's and Don'ts for your visit Angkor Wat Temple is located in the Angkor Archaeological Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site, spread over an area of 400 square kilometres, in Siem Reap. Angkor Thom is another name that you'll often hear while at the park. Angkor Thom is an ancient walled city within Angkor Archaeological Park. The park has 72 major temples and over 1000 small temples within its purview, including Angkor Wat. You can enter Angkor Wat from two gates, the East and West Gates. The East gate is less touristy and serene. You will get a beautiful view of the entire temple complex, but the main temple will be on the opposite side. This is the entrance we used. If you enter from the West gate, it's closer to the parking and the main temple. You get impressive views of the temple from the causeway over the moat. Before you visit the park, it's a good idea to shortlist the temples you wish to see. One can plan to see 4 or at most 5 temples on a day pass. The most popular temples apart from Angkor Wat are Bayon Temple, Ta Prohm Temple, Pre Rup Temple and Banteay Srei Temple. Bayon Temple, with its striking stone faces carved on the 54 towers, is a must-see attraction. Ta Prohm is popular for its giant trees that have intertwined with the stones over centuries, giving the temple a very otherworldly feel. It was also the site for the shooting of the Hollywood film 'Tomb Raider', earning it the nickname Tomb Raider Temple. Pre Rup Temple is dedicated to the Hindu God, Shiva. The temple, though small in size compared to the mighty Angkor Wat, has beautiful red brick pyramids, giving it a pinkish hue. It falls on the Grand Circuit en route to Banteay Srei. The climb to the top is quite steep but if you can do it, then the views from the top are breathtaking, especially during sunset. Banteay Srei is rightfully called the Jewel in the crown of Angkorian architecture. It's 31 kilometres away from Angkor Archaeological Park. The temple is dedicated to the Hindu Gods Shiva and his consort Parvati. The intricate stone carvings on its pinkish stone walls will blow your mind away. Angkor Archaeological Park is FREE to visit every day of the week after 5:00 p.m. You will not need any tickets to enter the park. A lot of people use this opportunity to see the sunset at the park for free on their day of arrival into Siem Reap and then buy a pass for the next day. We did not know about this when we visited Angkor Wat, but there is a practical reason for doing this. After spending an entire day of exploration of the temples, believe me, you will be too exhausted to go back to Angkor Wat to see the sunset. We had to skip the sunset for the very same reason. Start early. Angkor Wat attracts over 2.5 million visitors annually, so you can imagine the crowds you could encounter. Also, since most of the sightseeing has to be done in the open, it's better to do it before it gets too hot under the scorching afternoon sun. If you wish to see the sunrise, try reaching Angkor Wat by 5:00 am. Remember, you will have to go back again to see the temple later since it opens at 7:30 am. A day pass, costing USD 37.00, will grant you access to the entire Angkor Archaeological Park. There are passes available for 2 and 3 days, too. In my opinion, unless you're a historian or an archaeologist, or a tourist who wants to do an in-depth study of the area, a day pass is more than enough to see all the temples. A lot of travel is involved in going from one temple to another within the Angkor Archaeological Park. It's a good idea to hire a cab since cabs are not very expensive in this part of the world. You can hire a tuk-tuk too, but temples like Banteay Srei are quite a long way off, so decide accordingly. Hire a guide. There's a lot to see and comprehend at the temples of Angkor Archaeological Park. An English-speaking guide will enhance your Angkor experience. Here I would like to mention that ensure the guide you hire speaks proper English. Our guide, though knowledgeable, had a very distinct accent that made it very difficult for us to comprehend his words. Dress appropriately. All places of worship in Cambodia, temples, pagodas and even palaces expect tourists to dress modestly, especially female tourists. Ensure that your knees and shoulders are properly covered. A lot of uneven stone steps and steep stairways are involved in visiting most of these temples. Wear very comfortable footwear. Most of these temples do not require you to take off your shoes, except at the Vishnu Temple in Angkor Wat, so sneakers are the ideal choice. There are a lot of snacking and dining options in the Angkor Archaeological Park. After seeing Angkor Wat, one can take a short break at any of these local restaurants and try the Khmer cuisine. I don't remember seeing any international food chains here, just local restaurants serving excellent food at very reasonable prices. So, this is the 900-year-old Angkor Wat Temple for you, defying the travails of time and looking every bit glorious as ever! Watch my YouTube video about Angkor Wat by clicking on the link below https://youtu.be/nzO7PxeTHVw After Angkor Wat, we explored the rest of the Angkor Archaeological Park, starting with Bayon Temple.

The charming town of Hoi An is a traveller's dream destination....as dusk falls, the streets of this quaint town light up with a zillion lanterns!! You will see hordes of tourists flocking around the ancient town and strolling along the Thu Bon River, which runs through the heart of this town. The river becomes a floating tableau of colour as small boats lit with lanterns ferry tourists up and down the river, the shimmering shadows of their lanterns casting dancing luminous glows on the water. The old city of Hoi An is recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage site; its meticulously preserved architecture, showcasing influences from Vietnamese, Chinese, and Japanese cultures, will transport you back in time. Be prepared to stroll through the cobblestone streets of Hoi An, marvelling at the ancient buildings adorned with intricate carvings in the Old Town. The entire area is a pedestrian zone, you can laze around the river, stop by at eateries and marvel at the many shops selling souvenirs and trinkets. A not-to-miss attraction in Hoi An is the 16th-century Japanese Covered Bridge . The easiest way to reach the bridge is from the Old Town. Keep walking along Tran Phu Street for a few minutes, and you will see this beautiful piece of architecture. Here are a few handy tips to know about Hoi An There is a lot of debate about whether to stay in Hoi An or do it as a day trip. Let me give my verdict. Hoi An is about 27 kilometres from Da Nang, and it takes less than an hour to reach. Most people visit Hoi An as a day trip. However, if you have an extra day, staying overnight in Hoi An is a great idea for two reasons. One, most day tours from Da Nang leave early from Hoi An before the night market is fully lit up with lanterns, so you will miss the delightful lantern display and the joy of loitering around its Old Town at dusk. The best time to see the night market is between 6 and 8 pm when the streets are lit up with magical lanterns. Two, if you wish to take the Basket Boat ride, it is closer to Hoi An, and it is recommended early in the morning, as the temperature can become very hot during the day. Coming to the Coconut Forest early in the morning from Da Nang might be difficult since it's 30 km one way. We had read some very bad reviews about the Basket Boat ride, but still decided to give it a try. Luckily, it turned out to be quite an amazing experience. You can read about our basket boat ride experience here https://www.journeys2memories.com/post/basket-boat-ride-in-hoi-an-vietnam Hoi An will captivate you, not just by its lantern-lit streets but also by its diverse culinary scene. Both sides of the river are lined with eateries, catering to every taste and budget. You can get amazing street food and drinks on the go! I'd like to mention here that, like all touristy places, Hoi An also has its share of tourist traps, like this river-facing restaurant, Lily's Irish Pub and Sports Bar, that we settled on. The online reviews and the location were excellent, and there was a live singer; essentially, there were enough trappings to ensnare all passersby. But the food was really bad and overpriced. The live music was intended to work as a bait, and it sure did! As you walk along the river, you will see souvenir shops laden with beautiful lanterns for sale, making it hard to resist the temptation to buy one. In fact, a single lantern can start at around 100,000 VND (approximately $4), giving travellers a chance to take home a piece of Hoi An’s charm. Don't forget to negotiate over the price; you might strike a good deal. A typical boat ride on the river averages around 250,000 VND (about $10). Shops around the night market close at 9 pm. The bustling town suddenly falls silent, and people begin walking back to their hotels. So, if you wish to have dinner plans, do so well in time. That's another reason why we had to settle for Lily's Irish Pub and Sports Bar; most other eateries had closed down by the time we were done with our stroll around town. Hoi An is a not-to-miss little wonder in Vietnam, made to cater to all your touristy whims...make sure to set aside some time to explore this town.