Top 2 Must See Cities to Visit in Cambodia

When you are visiting Cambodia, you need to write down one thing in your diary or your mobile notes that there are many more things to visit than Angkor Wat. Do you find it funny? You might, but it is true that when a person looks for a Cambodia tour package, Angkor Wat is the main tourist attraction they want to visit. Well, it is a phenomenal and highly popular religious landmark, but there are some other fascinating and historic tourist attractions that you should not miss. Cambodia has some amazing tourist spots to visit and you should make the most out of them. 

In this post, we will discuss three popular cities you cannot miss when you are on the Cambodia holidays. Stay tuned! 

Siem Reap

The first city that we would love to introduce you is Siem Reap, also known as the gateway to Angkor Wat and other historic ancient sites. It is one of the fastest-growing cities of Cambodia and you can book your accommodation from trendy hotels to budgetary houses. 

Some of the tourist attractions in Cambodia are:

Old Market Area:

If you are looking for a typical market with plenty of shops, restaurants, bars and pubs, you should not miss this Old Market Area which also covers the area around the Angkor Market. It is the first place you need to be when you are in the city. 

Main Road to Angkor:

Also known as Charles de Gaulle Boulevard, this road connects the centre of Siem Reap with the Angkor Archaeological Park and has plenty of restaurants, shops and luxury hotels. You should not miss the Angkor National Museum when you are here. 

Some other attractions to visit are Wat Bo Road area, National Road No 6 Area and Angkor Archaeological Park. 

Phnom Penh

Welcome to the largest and wealthiest city of Cambodia which is also the political, cultural and economic hub of the country. Located in the south-central region of the country, Phnom Penh covers an area of 376 sq. km. if you are in the search for charm and tranquillity, you are at the right place. Some of the places you need to visit are:

Royal Palace:

A sparkling riverfront palace is one of the most visited tourist attractions of the city. However, only the Throne hall and surrounding buildings are open for visitors. 

Silver Pagoda:

Located in the southern part of the Royal Palace complex, Silver Pagoda is known as the Wat Uborsoth Rotannaram as it is the place where the king worshipped and observed every Silas Day in Buddhism. 

National Museum:

You cannot end your holidays to Cambodia without visiting the National Museum which holds the best Khmer art collection in the world. Located in the terracotta building, just north of the Royal Palace, the museum has a great historical value and importance. 

Some other places to visit in Cambodia are Toul Sleng Genocide Museum, Choeng Ek Killing Fields, and Wat Phnom.

Conclusion

If you are visiting Cambodia, add these two cities in your Cambodia tour package and don't miss them at any cost. You will surely be able to learn about the culture and heritage of this beautiful country hold, along with its rituals and traditions.

Weave Travel Story to Cambodia Holidays

The busy schedules of life set the monotony. The best way to break the same is to set the quirky possibilities of enjoyment. Often individuals feel the urge to free themselves from the shackles of work stress, and prefer to plan exciting holiday options. Curious explorers never wait to undergo something overwhelming. Thus, the offbeat vacations are one of the best decisions upon, finalize, and travel.

A trip holds immense possibilities to feel fresh, wave back the negativities, and transform the minds. The best Cambodia holidays are one such option to trace the coverage of charms of the destination. However, the motto of travel and celebration reflects in every tour travelers undertake. Next, the name of a place such as Cambodia can cross the minds of several travel enthusiasts.

Fly To The Offbeat Land

Taking time to absorb the truth that a trip to Cambodia can unpack the mysteries? Yes, it is a popular place featuring cultural ethnicity and modernity. For a better experience and travel story, backpackers can select the smart way out. Scheduling the trip requires fixing the preferences and budgets. Next, browse online and create the best Cambodia tour package. The selection of this place will be worth enough of creating memories, getting everything available. Besides, the vibrant culture of the land and friendly supportive nature of locals of Cambodia ignite tourist minds.

Explore Featured Activities

Tourists can catch up with a pack of adventure and serenity in a single trip to South East Asia. The exciting possibilities of traveling around Cambodia maximize enjoyment options. Ideally, families and friends can settle in a relaxing mood. However, to feel free, one can hop at several opportunities such as delicious food, rich history, lively nightlife, and beautiful coastlines.

There are several things that one cannot fail to look at while in Cambodia. If newlywed couples want to enjoy themselves, move out to check unique places. Holidays to Cambodia can include the exclusive option of enjoying in the Pub Street and Night Market at Siem Reap. If a traveler feels the urge to try out the weirdest delicacies of Cambodia can manage to have snakes and insects. Shopping apparel, souvenirs, and other local commodities will be fair enough.

Exploring the exquisite architectural facts will be something different. Tourists list Phnom Penh, the capital city of Cambodia, as the prioritized option. However, it is one of the best cities to start traveling in Cambodia. The remarkable features are its architectural styles comprising the Royal Palace of Cambodia, the Independence Monument, and the National Museum of Cambodia. 

Overwhelming Places To Visit At

The sea beach lovers will want to enjoy the fun-loving ambiance of the seaside. In Cambodia, Krong Kaeb is a province consisting of beaches. After reaching the beach shack, none loves to quit the option of tasting flavourful tasty seaside seafood items. Next, tourists can also engage their minds in tripping around colonial architecture.

Savour The Unique Local Recipes

Who else does not feel free to experience the challenge of sweeping through local findings? However, some travelers want to move out of the city crowds and relax. Krong Battambang holds the ideal option of doing so. Travelers who are high on energy and want to taste each of the local cuisines can explore plenty of such restaurants. Another exciting way to entertain travelers is the bamboo train.

Major Festivals and Holidays to Attend in Your Laos Tour

We all love to know and get familiar with foreign cultures, histories, and rituals, especially when we are visiting foreign countries. For example, when you are visiting Laos, you need to make the Laos Tour Package in a manner that you can attend all major traditional festivals. Most of the Laos festivals are linked to different agricultural events and seasons and historical Buddhist holidays, but one thing is certain, you should not miss them at any cost if you enrich your soul with new cultural experiences. 

Here, in this post, we will discuss some of these festivals and holidays popular in Laos. 

January and February 

Boun Pha Vet 

Boun is the Laos word for the festival and the temple celebrates the birth of Prince Vessanthara, the Buddha's penultimate existence. Here, they recite the birth story of Buddha and this is also the time for Lao men to become ordained as monks. You can visit different villages for this festival as they stagger festivities between villages. 

Boun Ma Kha Bu Saar (Full Moon)

The Buddha gave a speech in which he has predicted his death and also laid down the first monastic regulations and this festival is a tribute to it. Almost 1250 monks listened to this speech. Also, this festival is celebrated with chanting and presenting throughout the country offering carious Vat. If you want to attend this festival, go to the Khmer ruins of Vat Phu Champasack as the largest celebrations take place there. 

March Festival 

In various villages, the harvest festival is celebrated throughout the month. 

April festival in Laos 

Boun Pi Mai 

Pi Mai means New Year and Laos celebrate the start of the Lunar calendar year. New clothes are worn by people and the Buddha images are washed. 

May festivals 

Boun Vishakha Bu Saar (Full Moon)

This festival takes place on the first day of the sixth lunar month in the memory of the birth, enlightenment, and parinibbana (death) of Buddha. 

Boun Bang Fai (Rocket Festival) 

In the ancient pre-Buddhist times, people use to fire homemade rockets into the clouds to ask the Almighty for rain. 

September 

Boun Haw Khao Salak 

This festival takes place in the 10th full moon of the lunar calendar in the remembrance of the dead. On behalf of deceased ancestors, Laos people distribute offerings to the monks. Villagers visit the temples in the early morning to pray and give offerings to the monks. 

October 

Boun Ok Phansa and Boat Racing Festival 

When the monks' three month fast ends, this festival takes place during the rainy season. Here too, donations and offerings are made to the temples and in the evening, candlelight processions happen at the temples with hundreds of colorful floats decorated with flowers, incense, and candles are arranged adrift down the Mekong River for the respect of the river spirit. The next day, a popular boat racing competition is held in Vientiane, Savannakhet, and Champasack. 

Wrapping Up

You need to make your Laos tour package in a manner that you can attend these popular festivals. It will give you a new insight into the culture and rituals of the country and will fill your life with unforgettable memories and experiences.

Why not miss Buddha Park in Vientiane?

One of the most confusing things is to make a list of all the tourist places we want to cover while on a tour. You might have less time and more destinations to cover and this is always a dilemma all tourists face at some point in their lives. For example, you might not know which places to include in your Laos Tour Package, especially when you are in Vientiane, the capital of Laos. However, one thing that you cannot miss during your trip to Vientiane is Buddha Park, one of the best things to visit when you are in Vientiane. 

What do you need to know about Buddha Park? 

Also known as Wat Xieng Khuan in the local language or the Spirit City Temple or Sala Xieng Khuan, Buddha Park is one of the quirkiest places in Laos that you cannot miss. Located in the outskirts of Vientiane, near Mekong River, it is one of the most visited sites in Vientiane and you must put it in your Laos tour package. 

Buddha Park has more than 200 statues of gods, demons, animals, evils, and some other bizarre statues that will surely give you some awesome and jaw-dropping time. The eccentric sculpture park, as someone calls it, is a perfect place where Buddhism meets Hinduism. You will be astonished by the mythological and religious sculptures, each of them has a unique story to tell you. 

You cannot just term it as a park which is lucid and eccentric, it is the place that has sacred wind flowing and has become a playground for a mystic and artists. 

Bunleua Sulilat, a mystic teacher is the creator of Buddha Park who was deeply interested in Buddhist and Hindu philosophies and beliefs and created this park to give a tribute to these ancient religions in his way. You will find lots of statues of Buddha, Lord Vishnu, Lord Shiva, and others. You might feel the statutes are ancient, but they are not. They are just 60 years old. Bunleua Sulilat designed all the statues, but the actual builders were his followers. 

There are some impeccable religious and mythological narrations you will find in Buddha Park. For example, the giant pumpkin located in the park has an entrance that represents a demon's mouth, and when you pass through it, you have to climb three floors representing Hell, Earth and Haven. Isn't it some kind of a holy puzzle you have read in mythological mystery books? 

Buddha Park was built by a Thai born mystic teacher and priest Luang Pu Bunleua Sulilat in 1958. He was a born Buddhist but also had deep interests in other religions such as Hinduism and learned about the Hindu religion in Vietnam. He had a good fan following who considered him as Luang Pu, the priest, and later on, their followers built these sculptures. 

It is one of the most-visited public parks in Vientiane and had become a famous tourist attraction located about 25 km Southeast from Vientiane and you can catch a public bus from Talat Sao to Buddha Park every 30 minutes. The price of a one-way ticket is 8,000 kip. The entrance fee to Laos Buddha Park is 5,000 kip and the working hours are 0800 hours to 1700 hours. If you want to carry a camera inside the park, you need to pay an extra amount of 3,000 kips. 

Conclusion

When you are making your Laos Tour Package, you just cannot miss this mystic and eccentric home of sculptures, Buddha Park. Visit and pay your homage to the contributor who was a scholar with keen interests in Buddhism and Hinduism. 

Covid-19 Developments in Myanmar that You Need to Know

The Covid-19 pandemic is at its full swing now and has covered almost all the nations of the world. Italy, USA, Turkey and China are some countries where the number of cases is registered highest in the world. However, Myanmar too suffered a lot due to this pandemic. If you have booked the Myanmar tour in recent times, you need to cancel it as the international flights are cancelled by the government of Myanmar and the ban will stay for another couple of months. In this post, we will discuss some of the recent developments that happened in the Covid-19 pandemic in Myanmar. 

History of Covid-19 in Myanmar

On 31 March 2020, two confirmed Covid-19 cases were registered in Myanmar and the committee for CoronaVirus Disease (Covid-19) was formed by the President of Myanmar Win Myint, which was headed by the Vice President Myint Swe and it was made up of union ministers of the cabinet. The total number of confirmed cases as on 23rd April 2020 is 127 and the total death toll is 5 as of now. The number of tests done on citizens is 5,198 and total 2,212 persons are under investigation. The number of active cases is 115 as of now. 

The national-level Covid-19 response team led by the state councillor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi announced that it will provide free food to all those people who are struggling across the nation during the 10-day national New Year holiday. 

The Thingyan Water Festival 

The Thingyan Water Festival is an opportunity for many daily wage earners to earn money by offering food and beverages to the visitors and the event was cancelled to prevent the Covid-19 spread in Myanmar. The government has promised to distribute rice, cooking oil, salt, beans and onions to the people with no income during the holidays. 

Apart from food distribution, the government also promised to provide 150 free electricity units until the end of April for domestic use and urged people to stay at home to counter the spread of Covid-19 pandemic. 

Mandalay Region 

All the Myanmar tour packages and trips are canceled in the Mandalay Region as heavy travel restrictions are imposed in this region. Some of the key markets such as Zay Cho, Yadanarpon and Mingalar are also closed until an uncertain time and the region is almost deserted. 

Furthermore, the Mandalay regional government has promised to spend 1 billion kyats (approximately US $770,000) to help families with no regular income during this pandemic time. Also, the government has asked the private sectors to come forward and donate to fight against the Covid-19 pandemic. Some of the most affected professionals are porters, taxi drivers, street hawkers, flower traders and other small traders. The government also has donated few essentials such as cooking oil, beans, pulses and onions to the Buddhist monks and nuns as they are vulnerable during the crisis. 

Mandalay and Sagaing regions have formed various groups and volunteer teams to help households with essentials such as soaps, sanitizers, masks and other crucial commodities. 

Myanmar government has banned staff from New Year travel 

Almost 1 million civil servants travel to their homes during the New Year water festival each year. However, the government has banned them from traveling due to this pandemic time. Every year, these civil servants get the holidays of five to ten days and they return to their homes to spend this time with their loved ones. This year, they will not be able to do so to spread the Covid-19 outbreak. 

Myanmar government punishes fake news publishers 

Anyone who spread Covid-19 fake news through any of the social media channels will be arrested and prosecuted by the government to stop panic during this outbreak. A man from Bago Region's Yaytarshay Township was arrested by the local police as he posted a Facebook post related to fake news about Covid-19 disease. He was sued under the Natural Disaster Management Law's article 27 which states that a person who spreads fake news or misinformation related to a disaster to create panic amongst the public shall be punished with a maximum of one year in prison and fine. 

Also, people who don't follow rules and regulations imposed by the government or refuse to cooperate with the local bodies could face lawsuits under the 2013 National Disaster Management Law. 

The KBZ bank donated nearly $1 million to fight Coronavirus outbreak

Medical supplies worth $1 million was donated to the health ministry of Myanmar by the Kanbawza bank of Myanmar to prevent the Covid-19 outbreak and to treat the disease. 

5 Effective Ways to Get the Most out of Your Myanmar Tour

Formerly known as Burma, Myanmar is a picturesque destination located in Southeast Asia. It has been over the last decade or so when Myanmar has slowly but gradually opened its door for tourism. Recently, thanks to the improved infrastructure, there has been a vast improvement in the tourism of the country. This makes it an ideal place to satisfy your wanderlust.

If you are inquisitive to travel to this part of the world, opt for Myanmar tour packages from a reputed company. The reason being, it can provide a rewarding experience of temple landscapes, unspoiled nature, and sealed culture, which is primarily a blessing while experiencing this picturesque country for the very first time. Let’s now look at the different ways to get the most out of your Myanmar tour.

The Best Time to Visit Myanmar

Typically, it has been observed that it is best to visit Myanmar during the dry season, which falls between November and April. It is considered to be the peak of the tourism season as it enables you to enjoy the dry and cold weather. 

In case you wish to get the most of your tour in terms of both weather and monetary value, we suggest you travel this country during the shoulder season, i.e., April-May and October-November. Although you might encounter a little rain, the weather is overall excellent, and the additional benefit is, you can get plenty of promotional discounts from hotels and services. 

Procedure to Get Myanmar Visa 

In the year 2015, the government of Myanmar introduced an online system for Visa. However, there is no need to visit the Myanmar Embassy to apply. Simply submit your information, and get a visa on approval at $50.

Advance Booking is Advisable Prior to Traveling the Country

Although there are plenty of hotels and resorts in the country now than in the past, however, at a certain period, it becomes difficult to find a room in case you are looking to have a great time during your stay. In case you are traveling independently, at least have a glance at the online hotel booking to ensure that you have a pleasant stay. You can get further information on online booking tools from airport pickup to luggage storage and luxurious river journeys from Google.

The Budget for the Trip

When it comes to the budget for the Myanmar tour packages, always remember that it is not cheap in respect to other countries in Southeast Asia. In fact, when you compare it with Thailand or Vietnam, it is much more expensive. Another thing that you would note when you travel to this country is that most of the service providers prefer cash instead of credit cards even though there are lots of ATMs across the country in recent times. In case, you prefer to utilize ATM, keep this in mind, the operation fee is as high as 5-6% of the transaction.

Planning an Exclusive Itinerary

As first-time visitors, you would love to explore the must-see places of the country. The five famous places are Yangon, Bagan, Mandalay, Inle Lake and Ngapali beach. Although these are top tourist destinations, you can cover these places without spending a lot of money. However, if you want to avoid tourist areas, it is vital to prepare an extraordinary itinerary. 

The best way to do that is by browsing through some travel blogs on Google. This is the best way to ensure that you learn about not-to-be-missed experiences. You can even post questions on travel forums like Tripadvisor. 

There are lots of travel experts who see the country from time-to-time. They can help you provide valuable information that can assist in preparing your exclusive itinerary. There are also Myanmar travel agencies that design new tours specifically to attract more tourists in the country. Check out their websites to get the best idea about the trending travel destinations in the country.

So, when do you plan to visit this amazing destination?

A Thrilling Itinerary To The Idyllic Town, Sapa In Vietnam

Hey you, have you ever dreamt of visiting a fairytale land having picturesque landscapes and lush green rice terraces that creates ripples on the highest mountain? What if we say that you have the chance to experience and witness such a place in Vietnam? 

If you are excited to know how the diverse hill tribes enjoy together in Vietnam, then Sapa is a must-visit place for you. In this blog, we have listed down A to Z things that you can explore on your visit to the country. Keep reading further to mark your relishing experience into the steep valleys and gorgeous mountain peaks of Sapa. 

Well, a little brief about the location before you onboard your Vietnam Cambodia tour. 

Sapa, often known as Sa Pa, is a district-level town located in the Northwest region of Vietnam. It is about 350 km from Hanoi and is home to distinct tribal groups, namely, Hmong, Dao (Yao), Giáy, Xa Pho, and Tay. The location of the place is unique, which is quite close to the Indochina border, and it supports the growth of many exclusive plants and other inhabitants. It is advisable to spend a minimum of 2 days in the city in order to get yourself completely soaked into the tranquil atmosphere and enjoy the cultural tribe. 

When should you visit Sapa?

You will find tourists all around the year; however, the best time to visit Sa Pa is between September and October. This particular period is also known as the ' golden season’ when the location is just flooded with tourists from around the world.

During this period, you will get the chance to admire the spectacular beauty of rice terraces. The temperature is ambient, which is perfectly suitable for the tourists to immerse themselves in romantic views completely. On visiting the place, you will get a chance to explore many cultural activities like an art display, brocade, and cloth-making, etc. 

If you are visiting Sa Pa for hiking, then Springtime, that is between March to May, is the best suitable time to visit. You would be amazed by seeing the rice terraces that are flooded with water, and the sky getting reflected in the same, just like a mirror.

Here is the list of places now:

Fansipan: Roof of Indochina:

It is the highest in the Indochinese Peninsula with a height of 3143 m above sea level. It is heave for the mountain trekkers, and on lucky days, trekkers can reach the top of Sapa and enjoy the picturesque views of the mountains. Climbers will experience the magnificent landscape throughout their journey, some tribal villages, and a bed of azalea once they reach the summit. 

The best time to visit this place is between November and March when the air becomes drier, allowing you to breathe the freshness. Well, for the non-climbers, the place offers a cable car service also, which will cost you around 700,000 VND per adult. However, the journey from the mountain top to the peak has to be covered by foot. 

Ham Rong Mt. Park:

When you have already traveled the top of the mountain, then why to miss this splendid view of the Sapa town from the Ham Rong Mountain? The name is derived because of the mountain shape, which is like a dragon’s jaw looking towards the sky. While climbing up the 148 ha area, you will come across many panoramic views of the Sapa, beautiful orchid, and flower gardens where you will feel like romancing with your partner again. The viewpoint names are Cong Troi, and San May, kindly do not miss upon stopping at the locations. 

Sapa Church:

Just a short walk from the mountain place mentioned above, Sapa church is the most ancient church in the town. It was built entirely from stones back in 1895 and is a remarkable symbol of the sapa town. The rustic exterior will take us back to the French colonial period in Vietnam. You will be awe-struck with the exterior of the church, and the interiors will blow your mind away. 

Silver Waterfall:

This majestic beauty is just 15 km away from Sapa, and the water falling from the heights in the backdrop looks like a shining silver. The pine forests on the mountain ranges and the chayote gardens make a perfect backdrop for the waterfalls. 

A caution: You can always climb on the stones that take you a bit closer to the waterfalls but, just be careful while doing that. The entry fee is around 25,000 VND/adult. 

Few other places to visit during the Vietnam and Cambodia tours are:

• Cat Cat Village: It is just 2 km from the Sapa central and offers a unique, delightful experience to the tourists.

• Ta Van Village: It is a great place for the climbers to trek the hill in Sapa. The village has almost 1000 residents, and you can observe the idyllic wooden crafted traditional houses.

• Sin Chai Village: Are you excited to visit the mysterious caves of Ngu Chi Son Mt? Visit Sin Chai village and grab the best view of it. 

Discover Sapa and the best of local life by grabbing some exclusive Vietnam holiday deals. We hope that this guide helps you in planning your trip in advance so that you don’t have to pay extra money at the end moment. You can also ask your travel agent to reserve a seat for you and your family. Happy journey.