Thamel Bazar, Kathmandu
Thamel Bazar, located in the bustling Thamel neighborhood of Kathmandu, is a vibrant commercial hub that has been central to the tourist industry in the region for over four decades. Thamel first gained popularity during the hippie era, becoming a sanctuary for artists and a focal point for visitors from around the world. This neighborhood is particularly noted for its intricate network of narrow alleys, which are lined with a diverse array of shops and vendors.
The offerings in Thamel Bazar are vast, including a rich selection of food items like fresh vegetables and fruits, pastries, as well as various types of merchandise such as trekking and walking gear.
The area is well equipped to cater to the needs of adventurers and tourists with its plethora of travel agencies, mountaineering gear shops, foreign money exchange booths, mobile phone outlets, and an array of budget hotels, guest houses, and small grocery stores.
Thamel is not only a shopping destination but ...
The Taiwan Provincial City God Temple, situated in Taipei’s Zhongzheng District, serves as a prominent Taoist shrine dedicated to the City God (Chenghuang), the revered deity who acts as the divine guardian of the city, enforcer of justice, and protector of the people’s spiritual and moral well-being.
Originally established after Taiwan’s retrocession as a provincial-level temple to honor this important figure, it features grand traditional architecture with intricate carvings, vibrant murals, ornate statues, and richly decorated halls that blend Minnan stylistic elements with symbolic motifs of protection, prosperity, and enlightenment.
The main altar enshrines the City God alongside other deities including various Buddhas, Guanyin, Guan Yu, and the City God’s wife, creating a multifaceted spiritual space where worshippers come to pray for guidance, justice, and blessings while reflecting on moral living.
The temple regularly comes alive during its signature parades and processions, most ...
The Chinese Professional Baseball League (CPBL) stands as Taiwan’s premier professional baseball circuit. It was established on October 23, 1989, following a campaign led by Brother Hotel chairman Hung Teng-sheng, with the inaugural season launching in 1990 featuring four teams: the Brother Elephants, Mercuries Tigers, Uni-President Lions, and Wei Chuan Dragons. The league’s first game saw the Lions defeat the Elephants 4-3 before a packed crowd at the old Taipei Municipal Baseball Stadium.
Over the years, the CPBL expanded and faced challenges, including competition from the Taiwan Major League (TML) in the late 1990s, which it eventually absorbed in 2003. Today, with six teams, it thrives as a beloved national pastime blending intense competition, passionate fan culture, and community engagement, drawing strong attendance especially in modern venues.
The Wei Chuan Dragons and CTBC Brothers represent two of the league’s most storied franchises with deep roots. The Dragons, one of the ...
The most well known temple in Taiwan, the Mengjia Longshan Temple was built in 1738 by settlers from Fujian as a gathering place for Chinese settlers. Located in the old village part of Taipei, Wanhua District, this temple has stood the test of time and lasted through several natural disasters and wars.
During World War II, the temple was badly damaged by American bombers during the Raid on Taipei after an accusation the Japanese were hiding arms inside the temple.
Since the construction of the temple, Taipei residents have continuously renovated and improved the temple and the surrounding grounds, with the temple coming to represent the pride of Taiwanese temples and worship houses, worshipping a mixture of Buddhist, Taoist and deities like Mazu.
Located one block to the east of the temple is the historic Bopiliao 剝皮寮 a walking street with Qing Dynasty architecture and a museum.
Longshan Temple is one of largest and oldest temples in Taiwan.
The name Mengjia is a reference to the old name ...
