Ershawan Fortification (Ershawan Battery) 二沙湾炮台 or better known as Tenable Gate of the Sea 海門天險 is a battery emplacements camp in Zhongzheng District, Keelung Taiwan.
It was built during Taiwan's Qing era and was the site of combat between the French and Chinese forces during the Sino-French War. It was the command post of Liu Ming-chuan, who was later appointed by Qing court as the first governor of Taiwan, when he was charged with the defense of Keelung during the war. It lost its military value under Japanese rule and is currently listed as a class one national historical monument.
The battery was first constructed in 1840. It was originally located by the sea and was used by the garrison to fend off British assaults during the Opium War. It was part of the Taiwan Seventeen Fortification Plan 台灣十七口設防圖說狀.
The fortification that exists today is not at the seaside. When the Sino-French War broke out in 1884, Liu Ming-chuan, who was in charge of defense ...
Thai long boat racing, known as reua yao, is one of the country’s oldest living traditions, with roots stretching back more than six centuries to the Ayutthaya Kingdom. In those days the long, narrow wooden craft served first as war canoes and later as a form of military training that built strength, coordination and courage among soldiers.
Over time the practice moved from the battlefield into the heart of community life. After the end of the Buddhist rains retreat, when rivers and canals ran high, villages would gather to race, make merit, honour the spirits of the water and celebrate the unity of their people.
The boats themselves were carved from single great logs of hardwood, treated with reverence and blessed through rituals that still open every major race today. What began as preparation for war and a religious festival evolved into a cherished national sport, now contested for royal trophies and watched by thousands along the banks of Thailand’s waterways.
This same spirit of tradition...
The ASEAN Hyundai Cup 2026, also known as the 2026 ASEAN Championship, features Thailand and Malaysia in a key Group B encounter on Saturday, August 1, at Rajamangala National Stadium in Bangkok, kicking off at 20:00 local time.
This matchup pits the seven-time champions Thailand, coached by Anthony Hudson, against a resurgent Malaysia side under interim coach Tan Cheng Hoe, who returns to the venue where his team earned a memorable 2-2 draw in the 2018 semi-finals that helped propel them to the final on away goals.
Entering the fixture, Malaysia sit atop Group B with a perfect record of two wins from two matches, having scored six goals and conceded just one for a +5 goal difference and six points. They opened with a 2-1 comeback victory over Myanmar, powered by a brace from captain Paulo Josué, before thrashing Laos 4-0, with Josué adding another goal alongside contributions from Endrick, an own goal, and Wan Kuzain.
Thailand, meanwhile, have played one fewer match and sit second with three points ...
The shopping district of Hanoi’s Old Quarter is a dense network of narrow historic streets centered around Hoan Kiem District, where trade has taken place for centuries. Many of these streets remain active into the evening, with shops, small stalls, and food vendors creating a lively nighttime atmosphere even outside of any temporary market setups. Visitors often stroll the area after dark to browse clothing, silk goods, jewelry, handicrafts, and everyday items while the streets fill with locals and travelers.
Hang Gai, long known as Silk Street, continues to draw people in the evening for its selection of fabrics, scarves, ready-made garments, and custom tailoring shops that stay open later. Nearby Hang Bac, or Silver Street, offers jewelry and silverwork in a more traditional setting.
Other lanes such as those around Hang Ma specialize in decorative and festival items, while clothing, bags, and accessory shops line several connecting streets.
Dong Xuan Market itself, the large covered ...
