Khao Chi Chan, or as it is more commonly known, Buddha Mountain has become an iconic landmark in Pattaya and a popular tourist attraction. This giant golden Buddha carved into the face of a mountain cliff is set among a beautiful and tranquil park.
A short walk along paved paths will bring you right to the base of the mountain where you can see the full detail and really appreciate the gigantic scale of this impressive carving. There is a small lake at the foot of the mountain filled with lilies and lotus flowers.
There is no entrance fee at Khao Chi Chan, however, there are several donation boxes around where you can make a small offering to help with the upkeep of this lovely sight.
The mountain was originally mined for U.S. Army and Air Force projects at the local Utapao Airport during the Vietnam War. The mining continued on for several years after the Americans departed, eventually leaving the sheer face of the mountain we see today.
In 1995 the idea to carve a giant Buddha on the ...
The Spaso-Preobrazhensky Cathedral (Cathedral of the Transfiguration of the Lord, also known as the Cathedral of the Transfiguration of the Saviour) served as the majestic focal point and destination for Vladivostok’s main Orthodox Easter celebrations. This grand cathedral, the largest in Primorsky Krai, stands prominently on the central square overlooking Golden Horn Bay, its pale “crème brûlée” walls and golden onion domes rising 67 meters into the sky in a striking Russian-Byzantine style inspired by the works of architect Konstantin Ton.
The cathedral’s location holds deep historical significance: it marks the very spot where, in 1860, the first Russian military post that would become Vladivostok was established, soon followed by a small wooden chapel. Construction of the modern cathedral began around 2011 after the site was consecrated in 2000, and it was fully completed and consecrated only in September 2023, making it a relatively new yet already beloved spiritual heart of the...
Saint Basil’s Cathedral, officially the Cathedral of the Intercession of the Most Holy Theotokos on the Moat, is one of Moscow’s most iconic landmarks. Standing on Red Square beside the Kremlin, it is famous for its cluster of vibrant, multicolored onion domes that resemble flames or a colorful bonfire.
Built between 1555 and 1561 on the orders of Tsar Ivan the Terrible, the cathedral commemorates Russia’s victory in the Russo-Kazan Wars, particularly the capture of Kazan in 1552.
It was designed by Russian architects Ivan Barma and Postnik Yakovlev as an ensemble of nine interconnected chapels arranged around a central tower. The bright, swirling patterns on the domes were added in the 17th century, transforming the originally more subdued exterior into the vivid spectacle seen today.
Inside, a labyrinth of narrow passages connects small chapels richly decorated with frescoes, icons, and ornate iconostases.
For centuries it served as a church, but in 1929 it became a museum. It is now...
The Russian Premier League traces its roots to the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991, when the Soviet Top League ended and each former republic launched its own national championship. Russia began its independent top-flight competition in 1992 as the Russian Football Championship, initially featuring a mix of teams and formats amid the country’s transition. In 2001, the league was restructured and formally established as the Russian Premier League (RPL) in 2002, becoming a professional top division with 16 teams that inherited records from the earlier era.
Over the years, it has featured strong Moscow clubs dominating early on, followed by Zenit’s rise, with the format stabilizing around promotion and relegation to the Russian First League. The competition has grown in infrastructure and international exposure, though it has faced challenges including geopolitical issues affecting European participation in recent seasons.
FC Zenit Saint Petersburg, one of Russia’s most prominent clubs ...
