We Are Tourist ^^

We Are Tourist ^^

Sunday 7 December 2014

Rural Tourism in Japan

rural japan


In Shinto religion, the gods reside in all things, but there are natural places considered to have an unusually sacred spirit about them, and are objects of worship. They are frequently mountains, trees, unusual rocks, rivers, waterfalls, and other natural edifices. The idea of symbiosis with nature, of course, had strongly resided in the everyday life of the locals in Mt. Daisen in Tottori prefecture of Japan. When we talk about Mt. Daisen, we are apt to adore the majestic view and nature of the mountain, but if we take a closer look, we can also find tranquil rural scenery of traditional Japan. It is the sustainable human community in harmony with nature. You will find different culture here in rural Japan from a big cities like Tokyo and Osaka.Next, we would like to introduce some places off the map, where people are focused on their every day life, rather than making tourists happy.


Mitsukue 御机

Rural Japan Mitsukue 御机












Mitsukue (御机) is known for its beautiful terrace field. Its picturesque view has attracted many photographers. Mitsukue changes its look according to seasons; rice planting in early-summer, rice ears in autumn, sun drying of rice straws after harvest.



Kitanizawa 木谷沢

Kitanizawa 木谷沢













Only 300 steps from Ever Land Okudaisen will lead you to Kitanizawa mountain stream. The stream comes from the beech forests of Mt. Daisen. The view of the clear stream is sure to wash away daily stresses and strains.Kitanizawa (木谷沢) http://www.houki-town.jp/p/15/2/1/65/

 

Katorimura 香取村

Katorimura 香取村













After WW2, settlers back from Manchuria moved to Katorimura (香取村) and started clearing land to build their dairyland in a harsh climate.Lawn cultivation is popular in this village. It gives the landscape unique view.

Mihonoseki 美保関

Mihonoseki












Mihonoseki is an unspoiled nostalgic fishing village on the edge of Shimane Peninsula. It is a historic small village that includes Miho Shrine, the head shrine of all Ebisu gods in Japan, and the oldest lighthouse in Sanin, Mihonoseki lighthouse. The Aoishidatami Street (the blue-stone-paved street), which leads from Miho Shrine to Bukkoku Temple preserves traditional houses. Mihonoseki (美保関)  http://www.houki-town.jp/p/15/2/5/4/


Posted by Pang Wea Kiat (A13A1028)

Farmstay in Western Australia (RURAL TOURISM)

  HOMESTEADS, STATIONS AND FARMSTAY, WESTERN AUSTRALIA





 

Experience the serenity and simple pleasures of country life.

Leave the bustle of city life behind and head for the homesteads, outback stations and farmstays of Western Australia. Switch off your mobiles, tablets and laptops and tune in to the peace, serenity and simple life of country and outback Australia.

Homesteads and outback stations

These fully operating cattle stations can be the size of small European countries. They dot the landscape of the Golden Outback, Coral Coast and the North West, offering honest-to-goodness hospitality, breathtaking scenery and the opportunity to muck in and learn about outback life.
Try your hand at cracking a stock whip, join a cattle muster, watch in awe as the skilled stockmen show how it’s done, and listen to their epic tales around the campfire.
Accommodation-wise, the options range from rustic shearing quarters or a swag under the stars, to the luxury of glamping and grand homesteads.
You’ll find working cattle stations and homesteads scattered around the country towns of Carnarvon, Exmouth and Broome, and along the Kimberley’s legendary four wheel drive track, the Gibb River Road.

Farmstays

Pack your gumboots and take the family on a country escape – getting back to basics and enjoying simple pleasures in the fresh country air. Big kids and little ones will delight in feeding the friendly farm animals, collecting eggs, learning to milk a cow and taking unhurried bushwalks in the misty morning sunshine.
Good old-fashioned hospitality, a cosy bed and breakfast or charming self-contained cottages are available in the scenic country regions of Perth and the South West, as well as the Wheatbelt areas of the Coral Coast and the Golden Outback.
Find farmstays, stations and homesteads using the accommodation search, or contact the regional visitor centres for more information.

Australian Working Holidays

Like the idea of working your way around Western Australia’s country and outback? You could be harvesting grapes in the premium wine region of Margaret River, or joining the stockmen on the vast cattle stations of the Kimberley. Check out the Australian Working Holidays page and start planning your working adventure.


By TANG KIM HWEE, A13A1274 (SAP)

Thursday 27 November 2014

Rural Tourism in Folk Village (Korea)

Korean Folk Village




Set in a natural environment occupying approximately 243 acres, visitors can experience the natural atmosphere with over 260 traditional houses reminiscent of the late Joseon Dynasty, including various household goods from different regions. All these features have been relocated and restored to provide visitors with a broad understanding of Korean food, clothing, and housing style of the past. 

About twenty workshops, various handicrafts such as pottery, baskets, winnows, bamboo wares, wooden wares, paper, brass wares, knots, fans, musical instruments, iron wares and embroidery are practiced. In the Korean Folk Village, where the customs and lifestyles of the past generations have been carefully preserved, various lifestyles prevalent during the Joseon Dynasty can be seen. 

You can visit the Folk Museum as well as the Art Museum (scheduled to open) to see and learn about the essence of Korean culture and folk customs, which are not suitable for display and re-creating in the open-air setting. Korean Folk Village is also the filming location for the famous movie Scandal as well as the TV miniseries Daejanggeum.


Life and Culture ExperienceFolk culture in all seasons and various traditional experiences await visitors.

Horseback Riding Experience

Visitors can try a ride on the horses that belong to the stately Equestrian Feats Group of KFV.






Korean Archery Experience

The special experience of martial arts provides an opportunity to try bow shooting in natural settings as well as an understanding of the Korean archery technique.




Traditional Dyeing Experience

participant uses such natural materials as gardenia seeds and sappan wood to put subtle color on a handkerchief.






Traditional Life Experience


Visitors can tour KFV, experiencing various aspects of everyday life in farm houses.







Craft Workshop Experience
Bamboo Ware Workshop
Visitors can meet various bamboo ware exuding an artisan’s tact including items for daily life such as sewing box, Dutch wife, and basket as well as furniture, stationery, and playthings.

Wooden Craft Experience
Demonstrating the beauty and style of wood, the wooden utensils workshop allows a visitor to witness the making of items in daily life such as hongdukae (wooden cloth roller), soban (small portable dining table), and laundry bats.

Pottery Workshop Experience
A visitor can witness and experience the making of pottery, a living proof of ancestors’ wisdom. The products from the earthenware workshop practices the traditional method in glazing and carefully firing earthenware. (Experience making earthenware)

Hand Fan Workshop
He traditional fan from KFV is round-shaped banggu buchae, which is made with such traditional materials as wood and hanji. Here,visitors can experience making fans that exude ancestors’ style and taste. (Experience fan making)

Lacquer Ware Workshop
Manufacturing high quality brass tableware, the bronze workshop is a pride of KFV. The bronze spoon set from the workshop produced with artisans’ sweats and passion are popular with visiting foreigners. (Demonstration in bronze craft)

Blacksmith's Workshop
KFV blacksmith’s workshop manufactures farming tools and other appliances used in daily life in the traditional method. Visitors can watch how pig iron is wrought into iron tools and purchase products. (Demonstration of manufacturing of iron tools)

Pyrography Workshop
At the pyrography workshop, visitors can appreciate the process of drawing or writing on wood or paper with hot instruments as well as various pyrography. (Demonstration of pyrography)

Traditional Mask Workshop
He workshop presents wooden mask craft, which consists in carving paulownia and alder with a knife. A visitor can feel the touch of an artisan who renders with subtle carving the various characteristics of a human. (Demonstration of mask carving craft)

Traditional Dyeing Workshop
The workshop uses water boiled with gardenia seeds and sappan wood in it to color cotton. Especially the ‘experience of naturally dyeing handkerchief’remains a popular program available from the dyeing workshop.(Experience of naturally dyeing handkerchief)

Musical Instrument Workshop
Visitors can learn how to make and play danso (short bamboo flute) and how to play mulpiri (water flute) from an artisan of the workshop, a master player of daegeum (large flute). (Experience danso making etc.)

Tobacco Pipe Workshop 
KFV tobacco pipe workshop uses nickel plated brass to solder it to bamboo. The artisan who came from Namwon, famous for tobacco pipes, has manufactured tobacco pipes for over sixty years. (Demonstrating the making of tobacco pipe)

Straw Shoes Workshop
The place reproduces the process of making straw shoes by plaiting straws skillfully. Visitors can meet here an artisan who twists straws in the traditional method to make straw shoes. (Demonstration of the making of straw shoes / experience of getting into straw shoes)

Directions
[Subway + Bus]
1) Take bus from either Gangnam Station (Seoul Subway Line 2), Exit 10 or Sinnonhyeon Station (DX Subway Line), Exit 6. 
Take Bus 5001-1 or 1560 to Korean Folk Village. 
*5001-1 (Red express bus) 
Boarding location: From Exit 6 of Sinnonhyeon Station, go straight 250m and you will find the stop across from the CGV. 
Route: Sinnonhyeon Subway Station → Gangnam Subway Station → Yangjae Subway Station → Yangjae IC → Suwon IC → Singal → KFV → Myongji University. 
*1560 (Red express bus) 
Location: From Exit 6 of Sinnonhyeon Station, go straight 250m and you will find the stop across from the CGV. 
Route: Sinnonhyeon Subway Station → Gangnam Subway Station → Yangjae Subway Station → Gyeongbu Expressway → Singal → KFV 3-Way Intersection (Samsung Apt.) → Samsung Semiconductor → Byeongjeom

2) Get off at Jonggak Station (Seoul Subway Line 1), Exit 3. Upon exiting, take Bus 5500-1 to Korean Folk Village 3-way Junction. 
*5500-1 (Red express bus) 
Location: From Exit 3 of Jonggak Subway Station, go straight 200m to Tapgol Park Route: Jonggak Subway Station → Dankook University → Seohyeon Subway Station → Migeum Subway Station → Singal → Bora Elementary School→ KFV 3-Way Intersection (Samsung Apt.) → Kyunghee University

3) Take Bus 10-5 or 37 to Korean Folk Village or Nagok Village from Suwon Station (Seoul Subway Line 1), Exit 5.
*10-5
Location: From Exit 5 of Suwon Station, go forward 50m. 
Route: Suwon Station → Gyeonggi-do Provincial Office → 2001 Outlet → Suwon Employment Center → Wooman Apt → Ajou University 3-Way Intersection → Premium Outlet Sanggal Station → Geumhwa Village 3rd Compound → KFV 3-Way Intersection → Hanbora Village Entrance → Get off for Nagok Village
*37
Location: From Exit 5 of Suwon Station, go forward 50m. 
Route: Suwon Station → Gyeonggi-do Provincial Office → 2001 Outlet → Dongsuwon Telephone Office → Court 3-Way Intersection → Sanggal Station → Geumhwa → KFV 3-Way Intersection → Get off for KFV

4) Take Bus 37, 10-5 or 5001-1 to Korean Folk Village or Nagok Village from Sanggal Station (Bundang Subway Line), Exit 3.

[Shuttle Bus 1] (Korean Folk Village ↔ Suwon Station)
*Operating hours
Suwon Station → Korean Folk Village: 10:30, 12:30, 14:30
Korean Folk Village → Suwon Station: 14:00, 15:30, 16:30
*Fair: Free of charge. 
*Group passengers require reservation in advance. 
*Tickets must be purchased prior to boarding. Inquires regarding ticket purchase will be answered at the tourist information center. 

[Shuttle Bus 2] (Korean Folk Village ↔ Sanggal Station)
Korean Folk Village (Main gate): 11:00, 13:00, 15:00, 16:30, 17:30
Sanggal Station, Exit 2: 11:05, 13:05, 15:05, 16:35, 17:35
Gyeonggi Provincial Museum: 11:10, 13:10, 15:10, 16:40, 17:40
Giheung Station: 11:20, 13:20, 15:20, 16:50, 17:45
Sanggal Station, Exit 3: 11:25, 13:25, 15:25, 16:55
Korean Folk Village (Main gate): 11:30, 13:30, 15:30, 17:00
※Tourist information center is located 50m from Suwon Station, Exit 5. 
※The last shuttle bus will not operate during winter season. 
※Inquires: +82-31-256-6031 (Korean Folk Village Shuttle Bus Service ) 

sources:

Posted by New Yen Sin(A13A0589)

Rural tourism in Cheongsando (Korea)

Cheongsando: An Enchanting rural Island 전남 완도 청산 

        Located off the southern coast of the Korean peninsula, Cheongsando Island is part of the Dadohae National Park. As such, traces of battles against outside forces remain on the island, where approximately 2,600 people currently reside in pursuit of "happiness of slow life." Moreover, Cheongsando Island features numerous tourist attractions including stone artifacts, walking trails, and filming locations of Korean movie "Seopyeonje" and Korean TV drama series "Waltz of Spring."

Island History

Previously known as Seonsan, Seonwon, and Geumsongji, Cheongsando Island, which literally means "Blue Mountain Island" as given its name in 1483 for its green mountains and blue sea. In 1681, a navy camp was set up on the island to fight off a series of outside invasions. The island then became a military hub of the southern coastal region, which, on December 23, 1981, was designated as Dodohae National Park.

Cheongsando is one of numerous islands and islets in Wando County, which is so beautiful that it has been designated as part of Dadohae Marine National Park. Cheongsando is covered with green barley fields, from where visitors can gaze out over the spectacularly blue ocean. The island has a charming pastoral atmosphere; the barley fields are ringed with traditional stonewalls, and visitors can stroll along muddle paths. In Cheongsando, farming is still done the same way it’s been done for centuries, and visitors can eat fish that the fishermen have caught that morning. Be sure to try the shellfish abalone, a Cheongsando specialty. 
Cheongsando is the ultimate escape from city life, here everyone leads life at a much slower pace. On Cheongsando you are unlikely to find many other tourists, and a trip here would certainly make for a unique, memorable, and relaxing vacation. Read on to find out more about the charms of Cheongsando.


Available Facilities

Accommodations, restaurants, convenience stores, supermarket, Nonghyup Bank, National Parks Office, Council building (free Internet), health clinic, police station

Hiking Course
Walking Trails
1) Docheong-ri Village Port → Seopyeonje (5.7㎞)
2) Yeonae Batang-gil Road → Dolmen Village → Gatdol Pebble Beach (2.4㎞)
3) Gujang-ri Village → Gwondeok-ri Village (1.8㎞)
4) Gwondeok-ri Village → Beombawi Rock (1.8㎞)
5) Beombawi Rock → Cheonggye-ri Village → Sangseo-ri Village (6㎞)
6) Sangseo-ri Village → Dongcheon-ri Village → Hangdo Island (3.3㎞)
Hiking Trails
1) Goseongsan Mountain (9㎞): Docheong-ri Village Port → Goseongsan Mountain → Beombawi Rock → Gwondeok-ri Village
2) Daeseongsan Mountain (6.7㎞): Docheong-ri Village Port → Daeseong-san Mountain → Daebongsan Mountain → Osan Mountain → Jinsan-ri Village → Baekryeonamsa Temple → Yang-ri Village
3) Eup-ri Village (3㎞): Gugan-ri Village → Bojeoksam Mountain → Goseongsan Mountain → Cheonggye-ri Village
4) Maebaongsan Mountain (4.5㎞): Cheonggye-ri Village/Wondong-ri Village → Maebongsan Village → Sangseo-ri Village

Sources:


Tuesday 18 November 2014

Rural tourism in XinJiang (China)

Flaming Mountains (Huo Yan Shan) in Turpan, XinJiang
The Flaming Mountain is very popular thanks to a classical novel, The Journey to the West by the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) writer, Wu Cheng'en and its charming hero  - the  Monkey King.


In the Han account of the legend, it is said the Monkey King stirred up trouble in Heaven and kicked off the oven for making immortal pills.Charcoals fell from the sky to where the Flaming Mountain now lies-- in the middle of Turpan Basin.

According to the Uigur version, a vicious dragon lived in deep Tianshan Mountain and ate little children. A Uigur hero fought gallantly against the dragon for three days and three nights and cut the dragon into eight parts. The remains of the dragon turned to a scarlet mountain colored by its blood. The eight scars turned into the eight valleys in the Flaming Mountain, including the famous Grape Valley.

The mountain lies 10 km (6.2miles) east of Turpan city, covering about 100 km (62miles) from east to west with a width of 9 km (5.6miles). The average height is 500m (1640feet), while the 831-meter (2726-foot) - high peak rises above Shengjinkou, a vital pass of the ancient city of Gaochang. 

Chinese tourists walk past a huge thermometer near the Flaming Mountain in Turpan















Scientific explanation cites tectonic plate movement on the earth's surface during the formation of the Himalayas 50,000,000 years ago. The mountain is barren and extremely  hot in summer. During the trek approaching it, visitors will find the soles of their shoes soften in the intense heat. With the red sun overhead, the red mountain looks like a fiery dragon-truly an unforgettable spectacle! 

The surface temperature here can reach over 70C(158°F). With the scorching sun directly overhead, the red mountain rocks glow and theair shimmers in the heat. It looks like raging flames, so the mountain got namedFlaming Mountain. The highest temperature in summer can reach 47.8C(118F),so bring plenty of sun-block and water when you visit.




Grape Valley in Turpan, XinJiang



"...Grapes in Turpan grow up; Anarhan's heart is ecstatic..." This folk song of the last century is well known in China. Turpan, a place truly flowing with milk and honey in the Turki language, is famous for its fruits. Among them, grape is the most famous.Every August the sweet air will herald the vintage. The best place to enjoy the grapes is Grape Valley.



Located in the Flaming Mountain 13 km (8 miles) of Turpan, the Grape Valley runs 8km (5miles) from north to south at a width of 0.5km (03.miles). This green paradise of 400 hektares (988 acres) is covered with layer upon layer of grapes.


It seems that all the water in the desert of Turpan flows into the Karez system in the Grape Valley. Every single grape is crystal and watery-some are as green as emerald; some as red as agate, some as small as pearls while others are like olives. Among dozens of kinds of grapes, Wuhebai (white seedless) is reputed as a green pearl with the sugar content as much as 22%. 



Escaping from the fiery Flaming Mountain, you may take a seat under the vintage frames, savor various grapes, enjoy the beautiful Uigar girls in their ornate costumes, and be fully intoxicated by this refreshing palace of grapes!

Taking a walk along the grape corridor, you will find drying rooms on nearby slopes. Every year over 300 tons of raisins are made here.Mellowness penetrates your heart as the sweetness of grapes melts in your mouth. This unique experience will leave you with an enduring memory!
                                      Grape Villay is famous for its sweet grapes and graphy air 
                                                                          especialy in autumn. 



Sources:
http://www.travelchinaguide.com/attraction/xinjiang/turpan/mt_flaming.htm#grape
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flaming_Mountains
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grape_Valley

Posted by: Lee Yi Ling   A13A0353

Sunday 26 October 2014

Rural tourism in Galicia(Northern Spain)

Northern Spain offers some of the best natural surroundings for rural tourism. Most visitors to this part of the country come to experience the beauty of its geography and its delicious and varied gastronomy. Galicia is some of the most popular northern destinations for rural tourism. Furthermore, Galicia is well-known for its splendid landscapes, ranging from spectacular sea views to mountain areas.

Parque Nacional Marítimo-Terrestre das Illas Atlánticas de Galicia


Here you can find the best beach in the world. And it's not because we say so ourselves, but The Guardian newspaper. We are referring to the Rodas Beach beach located in the Cíes islands. Crystal clear water, fine golden sand, a crescent shape with a sheltering pine forest that invites you to a nice nap.
If in the past the Cíes Islands were a pirate haunt, today they are uninhabited and only open to the public in the summer. In this way they are preserved as a natural haven, without haste, without traffic. Just the sound of the waves and the wind.  But if you long for noise, climb up to the Faro lighthouse. The views are amazing and you can enjoy a unique spectacle: thousands of seagulls squawking (possibly the largest colony in Europe) around the cliffs... flying at you feet.
In addition to the Cíes Islands, the National Park includes the islands of OnsSálvora andCortegada. In Ons don't miss the mysterious "furnas", granite sea caves cut by the waves, such as the mythical "Burato do Inferno", which was believed to go all the way down to hell, and on stormy nights the voices of the dead could be heard. And then, to get your strength back, there is nothing like a taste of the "pulpo á Illa" (island style octopus).

Natural Park O Invernadeiro

Natural Park O Invernadeiro

With nearly 6,000 hectares and a location in the Macizo Central in Ourense, O Invernadeiro extends through rolling green hills and steep rocky landscapes. 
These are the domains of the wolf, boar, ermine and marten. And deer, chamois and wild mountain cats, as well. A paradise that must be preserved. A permit is required. But the experience is unforgettable. 
There are six routes. Thus, even if you're not an expert, you can stalk both deer and roe deer... A magical moment. Only here can you see whole forests of holly, rowan and yew, trees sacred to the Celts, overflown by eagles, hawks and white vultures. Because O Invernadeiro is home to the largest concentration of raptors in Galicia.

Galician Woodlands

Exploring the woods of Galicia is the best way to get away from it all, leaving your hectic daily life behind to immerse yourself in a soothing, peaceful natural world.
The damp air mingles with the smell of  the trees and moss. The dry leaves crunch under our feet. In the background, we can hear the sound of water flowing down the rivers and brooks that wind their way to the sea. Pay attention to the route, since these woods – some of which are almost impenetrable – are home to flora and fauna that deserve our respect.Thick woods of oak, holm oak, birch and chestnut. The woods await you, silent and immobile: come in and explore the landscapes of the most magical places in Galicia!
Sources:
http://www.spanish-town-guides.com/Rural_Turism_Spain.htm
http://wikitravel.org/en/Galicia#Understand
http://www.turgalicia.es/portada?langId=en_US

Posted by YEE PEI WEN (A13A1626)