So here my experience for travelling Mongolia last vacation. Since I worked in Beijing and during my stay in Beijing I would like to visit Mongolia. Mongolia is one of the places that I've always wanted to visit and I am planning to go ahead with the trip. But my idea kind of sacred my friends off, it might because I want travel alone. So I decided to ask some help from local travel agency to arrange our tour to Mongolia.

Since we unfamiliar with the place, booked the tour was the best deal that I could make. Save energy and time otherwise we visit it by ourselves. Mongolia is a remote region, less people but rich of treasure and history. Arrived in Ulanbaatar (the capital of Mongolia), our guide took us to explore the palaces and monasteries of Ulaanbaatar. More than that, we also did visit the National Museum of Mongolian History, trace the history of Genghis Khan (founder of the Mongolian empire). From a short stay in Ulanbator, we even could learn about Mongolian culture and Mongolian cuisine.

Sukhbaatar Square in the center of Ulaanbaatar

We did visit Sukhbaatar Square which is the center of Ulaanbaatar. This national square was built to commemorate a local hero who liberated Mongolia from Chinese occupation and a White Russian army (Sukhbaatar). A statue of Sukhbaatar sits in the center of the square. And same with Tiananmen Square in Beijing, around Sukhbaatar Square also surroundings by lots of important attractions including the Parliament, the World's smallest Stock Exchange, the National Theater, the Cultural Palace, etc. In front of Parliament House in Sukhbaatar Square, we also could enjoy the impressive monument honor Genghis Khan.

Future Mongolian ger

It was such a pity, we only could stayed in Mongolia for short time. Next time, I would like to explore more about new things that I never imagined to see with come by to this region again. I would like to watch a famous horseback riding demonstration in the grasslands, sleep in a traditional Mongolian ger, learns traditional crafts and skills from nomadic hosts, and other activities that more related with nature and local people.

Mongolia still remains a fabulous and unique destination for all those who love wilderness, unspoiled nature and, most importantly, simple human contacts with nomadic herders. A trip to Mongolia is the ideal way for you who love adventure and fresh experience of everything new.

For everyone who visits Tibet, they should know about Potala Palace, yes at least travelers must visit this place during their Tibet vacation. Similar with me, in my first visit to Tibet, I did visit Potala Palace too. Do not ask me what my feeling but just come by yourself. So, my Tibet trip highlight is for a visit to this huge Potala Palace, highest palace in the world, stands 3,500 meters above sea level.

Highest Palace on Earth - Potala Palace

Okay, by the way since travel to Tibet need some additional travel visa or whatever it calls, so I just got a trip arranged by local travel agency. From then, with our guide guidance we could travel numerous religious attractions in town including to Potala Palace. Potala Palace can be said is one of the most mysterious places I have ever been in my life. It was first and foremost residence of the Dalai Lama but now the place was filled with Chinese and non-Chinese tourists who were visiting the palace.

Since Potala Palace is huge so I felt little bit exhausted at the end of the tour. I started to have headache as a result of lack of oxygen. I think the entire tour lasted about hour and half and it was a lot of stair climbing. So, what I found inside the palace? What a shame, I cannot show you them because inside it was forbidden to take pictures. But I could tell you, there houses rich collection of Buddhist art including gold, silver, and jade relics and structures as well as collections of rare artifacts and manuscripts. The main building of Potala Palace is over 370 meters long, 13 stories tall, and reaches a height of 117 metres. The architecture was a masterpiece and seems reflected its Tibetan palace architecture.

Clear Sky Above Potala Palace

On the top of Potala Palace, you could see the entire city-square of Lasha. It was an amazing view that I got on the top of Potala Palace, since the sky was clear with nice weather. Potala Palace was not just a historical place, but a spiritual place for Tibetans. It was a symbol of religious right for them, and hope for their future. Of course, there are other religious places we did visit when we were in Lhasa, but Potala Palace was my best. I am so proud and feel blessed since I can reach Tibet, the highest place on earth. It was such a priceless experience. 

A few weeks ago, I experienced Hong Kong for the first time, spending five days there on my way back home. For real, I just came back from my first trip to Beijing, in mainland China. Since, my mum wants to see China then I just loved accompanied her. And on our way back home, I was like to have a short trip to Hong Kong. Hong Kong is full with impressive and interesting place to visit. Lots of night markets, small shops, intriguing food (some more palatable than others), there were certainly thousands of industrious and friendly people, and boy, was there tropical humidity. The city is exhilarating to walk through and there are new and unusual things to see on every corner.

Capture the Yellow Duck on Victoria Harbour

When I was in Hong Kong, I did visit two big and famous attractions, one is Lantau Island and Victoria Harbor. Strolling around Victoria Harbor which located between Hong Kong Island and Kowloon was a great way to take a break from the intensity of the city. Another highlight is Lantau Island (largest island in Hong Kong) to visit Big Buddha and Polin Monastery. We took the MTR there, it is a very easy way to get the island just from Hong Kong. As one of the outlying islands Lantau is much greener and sparser than areas like Hong Kong island and Kowloon.

The Big Buddha on Lantau Island

Big Buddha which has known as the Giant Buddha or Tiantan Buddha is the biggest Buddha statue on earth. The statue reaches more than 111 feet (34 meters) high, making it the world's largest seated, outdoor bronze Buddha. To reach the base part of Big Buddha statue, we should hike up about 260 stairs. After climbing on these stairs, I reached to a giant bronze statue of Buddha sitting on a lotus flower on the top of 3-platform altar. It depicts Sakyamuni who sits on a lotus pedestal in meditation position. The statue is named Tian Tan Buddha because its base is a model of the Altar of Heaven or Earthly Mount of Tian Tan, the Temple of Heaven in Beijing. The statue was so magnificent and majestic.

However, it is well worth climbing the 260 steps for a closer look at the statue and surrounding views, which was breathtaking for city visitors like us. Before back to Hong Kong, I did visit Po Lin Monastery which just situated across from the base of the statue. It is the centre for Buddhism in Hong Kong and of course the atmosphere was very sacred. Locals come to pray and burned incense everywhere around us. Overall, I just love my first visit experience to Hong Kong, especially visit Lantau Island.