Koh Kret เกาะเกร็ด is a small island in the Chao Phraya River in Nonthaburi Province, Thailand. It is around 3 km long and 3 km wide with an area of over 4.2 square kilometers. It has seven main villages, the largest and most populous being Ban Mon. The island is best known for Thai-Mon people who make pottery for a living. The island is only accessed by ferries.
Koh Kret was originally a meander located on the Chao Praya river. Due to Chao Praya river's curvy path, ships would take longer to reach Ayutthaya, Siam's capital at the time.
During the reign of King Thaisa, the king wanted to reduce shipping time and improve the kingdom's economy. He planned a canal which would bypass the meander and act as a shortcut for maritime transport. The canal was dug in 1722, requiring around 10,000 men and taking over a month to complete. After the canal was dug, shipping to Ayutthaya became faster and the canal was called "Klong Lat Kret" by locals. As time passed, the canal became ...
Kaohsiung, officially Kaohsiung City, is a special municipality located in southern Taiwan. It ranges from the coastal urban center to the rural Yushan Range. Kaohsiung City has a population of approximately 2.73 million people and is the largest city in southern Taiwan.
The written history of Kaohsiung can be traced back to the early 17th century, through archaeological studies have found signs of human activity in the region from as long as 7,000 years ago. Prior to the 17th century, the region was inhabited by the Makatao people of the Siraya tribe, who settled on what they named Takau Isle (translated to 打狗嶼 by Ming Chinese explorers); "Takau" meaning "bamboo forest" in the aboriginal language.
Kaohsiung is of strategic importance to the nation as the city is the main port city of Taiwan; the Port of Kaohsiung is the largest and busiest harbor in Taiwan and more than 67% of the nation's exports and imports container throughput goes through Kaohsiung.
A trip to Kaohsiung City...
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 ...
Cijin Island (旗津島) is a beautiful little island just a 5-minute ferry ride from Kaohsiung’s Gushan Ferry Pier Station.
Cijin Island (also spelled Qijin) packs a punch with its mix of historical sights, quirky outdoor installations, sweeping views, epic black sand beaches, and legendary sunsets.
Exploring Cijin Island can be a delightful experience, with its beautiful coastline, black fine sand beaches, and scenic photo spots.
The island is small and can be easily explored by renting an electric bike or walking, with many attractions such as Cihou Fort, Cihou Lighthouse, and the Seashell Museum. Visitors can also enjoy the island’s seafood, stroll along the beach, and take in the stunning views of the Kaohsiung harbor.
With its many amenities and activities, Cijin Island is an ideal destination for a half-day or full-day trip, offering something for everyone to enjoy.
It’s a short 5 minute ferry ride from the mainland that costs 30 NTD per person. It’s a great place to...
