Cambodian dance is the countries most precious art form. More than 1,000 years ago classical dance was established as a bridge between the gods and the kings, the spiritual and the natural world.
When the Pol Pot Regime took over the country, classical dance performances, education, and religion were prohibited. It is estimated that 90% of all Cambodian artists perished between 1975-1979. Today, dance continues to define the cultural identity and legacy of the Cambodian people.
The movements require a command of techniques, which demand flexibility, accuracy, and control of movements. With fingers curved backwards, an arching spine, bent knees, and toes flexed upwards, the fully grounded dancer moves with precise balance and divine grace.
Although songs for each dance are different, there are certain motifs that are used in every song that illustrate entrances, exits, and characteristic movements like crying, flying, or walking, etc.
Physical style, story-line, and costuming are ...
Wat Phra Sri Rattana Mahathat
Large Royal temple in Lopburi founded by the Khmer 800 years ago.
The Wat Phra Sri Mahathat is a large Royal temple in the center of Lopburi. The temple was founded when Lopburi was under control of the Khmer empire from Angkor, in present day Cambodia.
The eight acres complex which is little visited by foreign tourists houses structures from several periods, the oldest ones being the main prang dating back around 800 years.
Khmer style Prang
The main prang was built by the Khmer in the Bayon style in the late 12th or early 13th century. Standing on a platform, it was probably flanked by similar prangs of smaller size, of which virtually nothing is left. On the West side a portico protrudes out from the structure, giving access to the prang’s interior.
The prang was adorned with fine stuccoed artwork depicting scenes from the life of the Buddha, some of which are still intact. Inside is the cella, the room where the Khmer people worshipped the linga, the ...
Huaxi Night Market is a covered night market stretching three blocks from south to north. It is the most famous night market in Wanhua District 萬華區.
This is the oldest district in the city, the original walled Old City of Taipei. The district also home to the famous Ximending shopping district, which is about 20 minutes away on foot.
The southern entrance to Huaxi Street Night Market, found here, is just a few minutes’ walk from Longshan Temple, the most famous and important temple in the city.
From around the 1970s to 1990s, Huaxi Night Market was essentially a red light district. Food stalls were added to feed to the workers and their customers. To add to the market’s allure, vendors started skinning snakes live for spectators. At the time, this was considered an essential experience for many tourists visiting Taiwan.
Huaxi Street Tourist Night Market, also known as Snake Alley, is a well-known tourist attraction in Taipei, Taiwan. It is open daily from 4:00 PM to midnight.
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Taipei 101, formerly known as the Taipei World Financial Center, is a landmark skyscraper located in Xinyi District, Taipei, Taiwan. The building ranked officially as the world's tallest from 2004 until the opening of the Burj Khalifa in Dubai in 2010.
Taipei 101 is one of most famous skyscrapers in the world, since it was once the world's tallest building from 2004 to 2010, and features a unique appearance that is different from other normal skyscrapers.
Taipei 101 Observatory is several observation decks on the uppermost floors that opened to public for viewing the cityscape of Taipei, it offers 360 degree panoramic views from a perspective of a height over 390 meters from the ground, it's one of the top 10 highest observatories in the world, and one of the most visited places for tourists in Taipei.
The observation decks on Taipei 101 open every day from 9 am to 10 pm, but tourists must enter the entrance before 9:15 pm.
It is better to visit there before the dusk time, by this way both...