A living spectacle: The popular landmarks of Asia
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This ‘monument of love’ in white marble, was constructed in 17th century by emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his beloved wife Mumtaz, who died giving birth to her fourteenth child. The architecture of Taj Mahal is a fusion of Persian, Central Asian and Islamic styles. An identical monument begun in black marble across the river, was never built. It was meant to house Shah Jahan’s own tomb, a metaphor for the dark shadow that must accompany every light.
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Temple of the reclining Buddha (Wat Pho), Bangkok, Thailand
Made from brick and gilded plaster in 1832, The Reclining Buddha measures 151 ft by 49 ft and was added by King Rama III during the restorations of the 16th century temple complex. This statue represents the passing of Buddha to Nirvana. The temple remains a repository of traditional medicine and ancient massage, and accommodates a renowned massage school in its premises.
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About 40 miles north of the Beijing city, the wall was first built during North Qi dynasty (550-557 CE) and rebuilt over the centuries. in 1567, General Qi Jiguang reinforced the Great Wall along almost its entirety, included extensive repairs and improvements to the Mutianyu section of the Great Wall to suppress the increasingly bothersome Mongol incursions. The Mutianyu is one of the best preserved sections of the Great Wall - dotted with rare watchtowers - snaking through a beautiful wooded scenery that bursts into life with the seasons.
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Fushimi Inari-Taisha is the head in a series of shrines and vermilion gates that wind endlessly up a mountain in Southeast Kyoto. The worship of Inari, the god of rice is known to have existed since 711 AD, the official founding date of the shrine. Depictions of foxes - a messenger of the Inari - with a key to the rice granary in their mouths are often found in these shrines. The main idol in the Inari shrine is a mirror. Modern corporations, such as cosmetic company Shiseido, continue to revere Inari as a patron spirit, with shrines atop their corporate headquarters.
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The 99 metre high Shwedagon Pagoda is the most sacred Buddhist pagoda in Myanmar, believed to contain relics of the four previous Buddhas of the present aeon. Built by the Mon around the sixth century, the Pagoda has faced occupation and destruction from many wars, invasions and protests. The gold-plated, diamond-studded Pagoda is staggering in its estimated value. Myanmar’s devout middle class pay their ancestors the highest honour, with generous donations to gild it in gold leaf & plates. Gold itself has long had a crucial role in the country, becoming integral as the junta's socialist policies ruined the economy after Independence, leaving the population suspicious of government banks.
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Kuala Lumpur's iconic Petronas Towers are the tallest twin towers in the world and among the world's most impressive skyscrapers,. Architect Cesar Pelli chose a postmodern design while evoking Islamic motifs in its glass facade to create a 21st century icon for Kuala Lumpur. At 558 feet, the double-decker skybridge that links the towers on the 41st and 42nd floors is the highest two-storey bridge in the World. A project this big would usually require eight years, but the Malaysian budget accounted only for six. In order to meet the strict deadline, two construction consortiums were hired, one for each tower, racing each other to the top.
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In the northwest of Ho Chi Minh City, in the Cu Chi district, the remains of intricate underground tunnels dug by the Communist Viet Cong during the Vietnam War has now become a prime tourist attraction. Once spanning thousands of miles, these extensive tunnels were used by Viet Cong soldiers to house troops & entire villages, transport supplies, lay booby traps and mount surprise attacks. Life in the narrow tunnels was brutal where food, water and even air was scarce. Now part of a war memorial park, tourists can crawl through safer parts of the tunnel and even sample a simple meal that Viet Cong fighters would have eaten. Above-ground attractions include caged monkeys and a shooting range where visitors can fire an assault rifle like AK-47 or light machine gun like the M60.
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Located high on a hill, the formidable honey-hued Amber fort was built during the reign of Raja Man Singh in sixteenth century, its six large sections distinct in its rajput architectural style, each with its own gates and courtyards, overlooking the Maota Lake. Check out the exquisitely embellished Sheesh Mahal (Palace of Mirrors). Every inch of this room is covered with tiny chips of mirrors— colored and clear, in patterns of flower bouquets or abstract swirls. Those lucky to see it in the light of a flickering candle have marvelled at the breathtaking sight of ‘a glittering jewel box’.
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Golden Temple, Amritsar, India
Amidst the bustling noisy streets of Amritsar stands an oasis of egalitarian calm, its golden shimmer sublime in the sacred pool surrounding it. A symbol of brotherhood, equality and glory of the Sikhs, the Golden Temple (also called Harmandir Sahib) was founded in the sixteenth century by the fourth Sikh guru, Guru Ram Das.He intended to build a place of worship that symbolise the openness of the Sikhs towards all people and religions. Over 100,000 people visit the shrine daily for worship. Volunteers at the community-run free kitchen serves a simple meal to all around the clock regardless of any distinctions, a tradition that is a hallmark of all sikh gurdwaras.
(Sources: Wikipedia, Dept of Tourism, The Guardian, SacredSites)
