Visiting Kunming - China

iGolden Temple (Jin Dian) Kunming
A Kunming city tours is not complete without a visit to the Golden Temple (Jin Dian). The Golden Temple (Jin Dian) is located 11 km north of Kunming in a lovely pine forest at the top of Phoenix Song Mountain. The original shrine was dedicated to Zhen Wu and was made from gold. (Hence the name: Golden Temple). In 1604 the original shrine was brought to Jizu Shan where it was lost during the Cultural Revolution. The present Zhen Wu shrine is made of bronze. Apart from the lovely Zhen Wu Taoist Shrine, there is the 14 ton bell from 1423 and the colossal, original bronze sword said to be used in battle by Zhen Wu.
 

Jin Dai Golden Temple - Kun Ming

  

Western Mountains & Dian Chi Lake Kunming
Located a 30 Minutes drive outside Kunming, the Western Mountains (Xi Shan) offer spectacular views over the “Spring City” of Kunming and Dian Chi Lake. For those who like it comfortable, there is a chair lift going to the top. There are some nice walking trails leading to the top. Along the path are several Temples and Pavilions like the Huating Temple, Taihua Temple and the Sanqing Pavilion, which all are worth visiting. On the way back to from the Western Mountains to Kunming stop at the hidden Bamboo Temple (Qiong Zhu Si) dating back to the Tang Dynasty. The lovely Bamboo Temple (Qiong Zhu Si) is famous for its 500 almost life sized clay statues of former “arhats” or sages. The Western Mountains, Bamboo Temple and Dian Chi Lake can easily be reached within a half day trip from Kunming.

Dai Chi Lake - Kun Ming - Yunnan.

 
Green Lake Park (Cui Hu Gong Yuan)
Green Lake Park (Cui Hu Gong Yuan) is a popular gathering point for the locals. It is worth a visit early in the morning to see the locals engaged in their morning workouts, practice Tai Chi, show off their birds and enjoy social dancing. From November to March, the Green Lake serves as winter refuge for large flocks of black-headed gulls flying in from the cold north. During this time bird-feeding is a popular pastime for the Kunming people. Opposite the western entrance to the park is the colossal building of the old French Legation, one of the few reminders of the French presence in Yunnan during the late 19 and early 20 century.

Green Park Lake - Kun ming

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Lahore - Pakistan

Lahore is the capital city of the state of Punjab. It occupies a central position, and is generally called 'The Heart of Pakistan'. Lahore is situated on the banks of the river Ravi . Lahore is a city of gardens, and has the reputation of being the 'Green City'. It occupies a choice site in the midst of fertile alluvial plains. Visiting Lahore is a worthwhile experience it is the city of poets, artists and the center of film industry.

Brief History

Ptolemy's "Geographia", written about 150 AD, refers to it as "Labokla" and locates it with reference to the Indus, the Ravi, the Jhelum and the Chenab rivers. Another place revealed that it was founded by Loh the son of Rama Chandra.

However the accorded history of Lahore dates back to 850 AD., conquered by Mahmood Gaznavi in 1021 AD, it was made the capital of the Ghaznavid east of Indus and later captital of entire Ghaznavid Empire by Masud, son of Mahmood.

Visiting Lahore is one place in getting to know the heritage of Pakistan became the center of social, cultural and educational activities reaching the pinnacle of its glory under the Mughals who gave it its famous architecture including the magnificent fort, gardens, tombs, mosques and pavilions. Some of the old names of Lahore can be observed as:

    Laha-noor

    Loh-pur

    Mahmood-pur

    Samandpal Nagiri

    Lohar-pur

Area and Population

With a population of more than 6,563,000 people, Lahore is Pakistan's second largest city. The city is built in the form of a parallelogram, the area within the walls (central Lahore or Old Lahore), being about 461 acres. The district lies at 31-34' North latitude and 74-20' East longitude.

Climate

There are two main seasons, namely the winter and the summer. The monsoons are at their peak during July and August, and during these two months there is more than half of the annual rainfall. October and November are the driest months and average rain fall during these months is about one third of an inch only. There are Winter rains during December - February, the average rainfall during these months being 3 inches.

Historical Architectures

The city as we know it today, reached its peak of glory during the Moghul rulers, especially in the reign of Akbar the Great. His son, Jehangir, is buried in its outskirts and his mausoleum is one of the places frequented by tourists and Lahorites alike. Close by is the mausoleum of the famous Moghul Empress, Noor Jehan, who is known for introducing the rose plant and for initiating several cultural movements in the Sub-Continent.

Lahore Badshahi Mosque

Lahore Badshahi Mosque

Architecture      

Lahore Fort

Shalamar Gardens

Badshahi Mosque

Shish Mahal

Mausoleum of Jahangir

12 Gates of Old Lahore

               

Akbar the Great built the Lahore Fort, as well as the city walls which had 12 gates. Some of these still survive. Jehangir and Shah Jehan, the builders of the Taj Mahal in Agra and the Shalamar Gardens in Srinagar and Lahore, built palaces and tombs. The last great Moghul Emperor, Aurangzeb built Lahore's most famous monument, the great Badshahi Mosque.

At that time the river Ravi, which now lies a few miles away from Lahore , touched the ramparts of the Fort and the Mosque.

The British during their reign compensated Lahore, by harmoniously combining Mughal, Gothic and Victorian styles of architecture. Victorian heritage is only next to Mughal monuments.

They built some important buildings, like the GPO, High Court, Government College, Museums, National College of Arts, Montgomery Hall, Tollinton Market, Punjab University (Old Campus) and the Provincial Assembly.

Education

It has the largest number of educational institutions in the country. Many colleges and schools which found Lahore's reputation as education center of Pakistan par excellence. Most notable are Government College- first in prestige in the country, and of which Allama Iqbal, founding father of Pakistan's Independence, was distinguished alumnus; added in 1950; the Kinnaired College for Woman and Aitcheson College, still the most expensive educational establishment in the country.

Punjab University is the largest center of education in Asia. It has a splendid old campus in the Old Lahore and built a new Campus in the quieter environments on the Canal Bank, but the old University buildings are still functioning. King Edward Medical College is the country's largest medical institution, founded in 1870. The National College of Arts, has separate departments in Architecture, Fine Arts & design, on the competition entry basis 450 students receives from all over the country.

Culture

To know Pakistan and getting the best from your travel investment, visiting Lahore because it is the center for  cultural, intellectual and artistic center of the nation. Its faded elegance, busy streets and bazaars, and wide variety of Islamic and British architecture make it a city full of atmosphere, contrast and surprise. The warm and receptive people of Lahore are known for their traditional hospitality.

This is a city of vivid differences, of haunting nuances; where bustling bazaars, frenetic streets, glorious fading elegance, architecture and echoing atmosphere of city's many mosques merge together into a history that is both dramatic and fascinating.

The Fort and mosque reflect the high value architecture from the 16th to 19th century

Visiting Lahore - Overview

Street Scene in Lahore City

Cityscape of  Lahore - Pakistan

Lahore -City of Garden -Pakistan

Traveled to Lahore in June 2010. I was here in early 90's a brief stop by before we when to the northernmost city of Peshawar.Lahore change drastically over the years, about two decades since I made a brief passing then,way back in early 90's. Still vividly remember the well known red city building, the original location of British colonial residency. However, now only a few landmarks exist to memorize the  British colonizations. Now, this border city of Pakistan has transformed remendously over the years. However I still managed to glimpse the traditional features of Lahore. such as horse cart plying the street of the old city area of Lahore, peddlers and so with typical street scene of Lahore of yesteryear.

I think a good part of development, where the need to preserve  traditional and old way of doing thing.

Lahore is  second-largest city in Pakistan, is now a bustling metropolis with great historic and architectural sights, monuments and old gardens. It is also the cultural and artistic capital of Pakistan with Islamic mysticism and famous singers, as well as excellent local food and trendy shopping areas. Although unfortunately plagued with political violence creating safety concerns, Lahore is known as the Heart of Pakistan or the City of Gardens.

The traditional Tri-Car something similar to the Thailand Tut-Tut, with motorcycle and latest Toyota model plying the city street of Lahore.

An old trade center located in South Asia in Central Pakistan, Lahore is a city with thousands years of history. It is also the capital of Punjab Province. Lahore has a very rich Islamic culture with many famous historic artists and traditions, monuments, and dishes inherited from the rule of Mughal and Afghan emperors or from Central Asia. Traditional religious and family values are still highly regarded in Lahore. The city does not receive much tourism because of the political instability in Pakistan, but has plenty of potential for attracting people interested in history, architecture and local culture.

Tourist attractions in Lahore: historic sites, shopping & lively culture

Buzzing Night Bazaar in Lahore City

Another section of the Night Bazaar and shopping location of Lahore City.

The walled Inner City is the historical center and densely populated heart of Lahore. Over thousand years old, it is full of historic attractions such as the World Heritage -listed Lahore Fort, a masterpiece of architecture of the Mughal civilization, the Badshahi Mosque, and several palaces and shrines. The Gurdwara Mall is lined with British colonial buildings, and the terraced Shalamar Gardens near the city are home to beautiful lodges, waterfalls, and ponds. Old mausoleums of Jehangir and Nur Jehan are also popular sights in Lahore.

Old Mosoleum of Jehangir

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From the Backyard Hotel Mirage Balcony - the old city skyline view during the early morning sunrise.

The place where we stay, Hotel Mirage within the Old City center of Lahore.

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 Museums & bazaars. The Mall Road area in Central Lahore hosts interesting museums as well as more historic buildings and a zoo. The rich suburbs of Gulberg and Defence have large mansions and modern shopping areas. Shopping in Lahore can be done also in the old Inner City bazaars. Lahore also offers a family-oriented amusement park called Jallo Park that includes a zoo and a water park.

Pepsi a better choice and pick of Lahore City residents. I think taste differ from one place to another, here is much sweeter. Maybe sugar is readily available and cheap ingredient. 

Entertainment options. Restaurants in Lahore are famous for their local quality cuisine. The city is also a center for Islamic qawwali singing and mystic Sufism with regular gatherings at the shrine of Shah Jamal. Lahore has an 18-hole golf course and another one is about to open. Cricket and polo

games can also be watched. The ruins of the ancient city of Harappa are situated southwest of Lahore.

Lahore travel information and practical tips

The climate in Lahore is monsoonal with extremely hot summers and cool winters from November to February. The best times to visit Lahore are situated somewhere between these two extremes. There is a rainy season in Lahore during the south-westerly monsoon, usually starting in August. Heavy rains during the monsoon season can cause flooding along the river plains.

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Traveling to Lahore can be done by air, by rail, or by road.

There is an international airport with direct flights to Lahore from many cities in Asia, as well as from many cities in Pakistan. There are train connections to Lahore from India, as well as from other parts of Pakistan, and buses and minibuses from other Pakistani cities and the Indian border. A modern motorway connects Lahore to Islamabad and Faisalabad.

Local transport in Lahore is handled by trains, buses, minivans, taxis, and auto-rickshaws. There are also plans for building a Mass Rapid Transit System. Lahore has a main railway station and seven local train stations for commuting traffic. Auto-rickshaws are cheap motorized rickshaws that are handy to use for small distances and safer than minivans. Taxis are also plentiful, but they are not metered, so you need to haggle about the price. Car rental in Lahore is possible, but only recommended with a local driver.

Visitor services. There is a great amount of hotels in Lahore with both high quality and very cheap options available. Restaurants in Lahore are plentiful and the city is known for its local cuisine. Local dishes as well as Asian and European choices of cuisine can be found. Lahore does not have nightlife in the Western sense of the word. English is an official language in Pakistan, and the educated people in Lahore speak it. However, in the poorer areas of the city it is not too common to find people who can speak English.

Safety concerns. As all big cities, Lahore has its share of crime, mainly in form of pick-pocketing. Women traveling alone are likely to be harassed. Political violence and terrorism are major threats in Lahore, where there was a series of suicide bomb attacks in 2008. Visitors should exercise caution at all times and avoid large gatherings and political demonstrations. Avoid also traveling at night. In general, local people are hospitable and welcoming, but they are also conservative, so it is very important to respect their traditions and religion and to dress appropriately